Occupation · SOC 19-4044
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
64 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingWritingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
English LanguageMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingBiology
Technology & tools
Document management softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.Estimate the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.Investigate the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.Locate and deliver information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as water levels, volume, and flow.Perform quality control checks on data to be used by hydrologists.Prepare, install, maintain, or repair equipment used for hydrologic study, such as water level recorders, stream flow gauges, and water analyzers.Provide real time data to emergency management and weather service personnel during flood events.Write groundwater contamination reports on known, suspected, or potential hazardous waste sites.Write materials for research publications, such as maps, tables, and reports, to disseminate findings.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hydrological field instruments — identify and operate under direct supervision at designated stream gauging or monitoring stations.Water sample collection procedures — follow established protocols under close guidance in the field to ensure data integrity.Basic data entry tasks — perform using spreadsheet software and database interfaces under supervisor review in an office or lab setting.Stream flow measurements — assist in recording and documenting using standard gauging techniques at assigned field sites.Scientific terminology and technical reports — read and interpret with guidance to support data collection activities.Geographic information system software — navigate and input basic spatial data under direction for hydrologic mapping projects.Water quality parameters — recognize and record routine readings such as pH, turbidity, and temperature at monitoring stations.Electronic mail and document management software — use to submit field notes, logs, and sample records to supervising technicians.Laboratory safety and sanitation procedures — follow established protocols when handling water samples in a field or laboratory environment.Oral instructions from senior hydrologists — receive and act upon to complete assigned field tasks accurately and on schedule.
developing
Stream discharge calculations — perform independently using standard hydrological formulas and analytical software at assigned gauging sites.Field data sets — organize, quality-check, and store using database user interface and query software with minimal oversight.Routine hydrological reports — draft and submit using office suite and document management software for review by senior staff.Water sampling schedules — coordinate and carry out across multiple monitoring stations in familiar watershed environments.Geographic information system tools — apply to analyze and update spatial hydrologic data layers for ongoing monitoring projects.Deviations from expected water quality or flow readings — identify through critical thinking and flag for supervisory attention in a timely manner.Technical findings from field monitoring — communicate clearly in writing and verbally to colleagues and project leads.Spreadsheet software — use to compile, format, and perform calculations on hydrological datasets collected during field campaigns.Standard equipment maintenance protocols — execute routinely to keep flow meters, sensors, and sampling gear in calibrated working order.Relevant hydrology regulations and safety guidelines — apply consistently when conducting field operations in varied watershed settings.
proficient
Complex hydrological datasets — analyze autonomously using analytical and scientific software to identify trends, anomalies, and actionable insights.Non-routine field conditions such as flood events or equipment failures — troubleshoot and resolve independently to maintain continuous data collection.Comprehensive technical reports on hydrologic conditions — write and present to scientific audiences and public stakeholders with clarity and precision.Water resource management recommendations — develop based on integrated field data, GIS analysis, and scientific literature review.Multi-station monitoring programs — design and oversee, coordinating data collection schedules across diverse hydrologic environments.Advanced GIS and database queries — execute to model watershed behavior and support decision-making for water resource projects.Interdisciplinary project teams — collaborate with as a senior technical contributor, applying inductive and deductive reasoning to interpret findings.Analytical software outputs — evaluate critically to validate model predictions against observed field measurements in ongoing studies.Stakeholder briefings and public communications — deliver on hydrological research findings, adapting technical content to non-specialist audiences.Quality assurance procedures for field and laboratory data — implement and refine across an entire monitoring project lifecycle.
advanced
Organizational hydrological monitoring strategy — set direction for, integrating long-term watershed goals with agency or organizational priorities.Junior and mid-level hydrologic technicians — mentor and develop through structured guidance, knowledge transfer, and performance feedback.Agency-wide data management frameworks — design and lead implementation of, standardizing GIS, database, and reporting systems across projects.Cross-functional partnerships with government bodies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders — establish and maintain to advance hydrologic science goals.Scientific findings on water resource trends and risks — communicate authoritatively to policy makers, producers, and the public through reports and presentations.Program-level quality assurance and integrity standards — establish and enforce across all hydrological data collection and analysis activities.Emerging hydrological technologies and methodologies — evaluate, champion, and integrate into organizational practice to advance technical capability.Resource allocation decisions for multi-site monitoring programs — lead, balancing budgetary constraints with scientific and regulatory requirements.Organizational responses to non-routine hydrological events such as drought or contamination incidents — direct, coordinating field teams and communicating outcomes to leadership.Professional development curricula for hydrologic technician staff — develop and oversee, aligned to evolving industry standards and Job Zone 3 competency expectations.
Also known as
17 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Weather ObserverPilot, SubmersibleWater Treatment Specialist (Army 92W)HydrographerOceanographer, AssistantExcavatorHydro OperatorHydrologic TechnicianHydrography TechnicianPaleontological HelperScientific HelperVector Control AssistantGroundwater Monitoring TechnicianGIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician)Field Technician (Field Tech)ColoristHydrologic Aid