How to become a Hydrologic Technician
Official title: Hydrologic Technicians
Collect and organize data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measure and report on flow rates and ground water levels, maintain field equipment, collect water samples, install and collect sampling equipment, and process samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.
How to become one
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor's degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.
Typical education to start: Associate's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Hydrology and Water Resources Science; Science Technologies/Technicians, General; Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $64,790 a year The middle half earn $52,040 to $84,680.
- About 3,000 people work in this job now, and about 3,000 are projected by 2035. (-1.3%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Related jobs
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
- Agricultural Technicians
- Precision Agriculture Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Biological Technicians
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Hydrologic Technician?
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor's degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.
How much does a Hydrologic Technician earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $64,790 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $52,040 to $84,680.
Is a Hydrologic Technician a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 3,000 people now and 3,000 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Hydrologic Technician?
Not always. 41% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree.
Will AI change the work of a Hydrologic Technician?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.