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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $58,570 in the US and is projected to decline by 2% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.53 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,210 a year for Laboratory technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,975 to £34,028 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3111). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Hydrologic technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
What you'd actually do
- Analyze ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
- Answer technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
- Apply research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
- Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Hydrologic technicians do?
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 much does Hydrologic technicians earn?
The median annual salary for Hydrologic technicians in the US is $58,570.
What is the job outlook for Hydrologic technicians?
The role is projected to decline by 2% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 3,100 workers.
How do I become hydrologic technicians?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
Will AI replace Hydrologic technicians?
Our AI-durability model gives Hydrologic technicians a score of 0.53 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Hydrologic technicians has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.