How to become a Hydrographer
Also called: Hydrographic Technician, Water Monitoring Officer
Measures, analyses and maintains the flow and quality of water in rivers, lakes, stormwater and sewage, and assists with surveying and mapping oceans, seas and rivers.
Main tasks
- Performs routine mathematical calculations and assists in undertaking measurements for surveying and charting bodies of water
- Installs, calibrates and maintains hydrography equipment to monitor water levels and flow, meteorology, sediments and water quality
- Assists in the collection of water surveying data such as coastline identification, bed relief or depth, and heights of water in oceans, rivers or lakes, using navigation systems
- Measures the depth of water bodies, and monitors turbidity and the accumulation of silt
- Uses underwater acoustic equipment to establish and monitor tidal data and outline coastlines
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (NWP30222); Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations (NWP40120); Diploma of Water Industry Operations (NWP50118)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $93,288 a year
- About 22,400 people work in this job group now, and about 24,400 are projected by 2035. (+8.6%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Related jobs
- Life Science Technician
- Chemical Technician
- Earth Science Technician
- Geospatial Technician
- School Laboratory Technician
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Hydrographer?
Ways in include: Science degrees; Health & Public Health degrees; Certificate III in Water Industry Operations; Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations.
How much does a Hydrographer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $93,288 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Hydrographer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 22,400 to about 24,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Hydrographer?
Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Health & Public Health degrees; Certificate III in Water Industry Operations; Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations.
Will AI change the work of a Hydrographer?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04