Life, Physical, and Social Science · Holland code RCI

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.

O*NET 19-4044.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $64,790; Middle half earn $52,040 to $84,680. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 3 of 5; Medium preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

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.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic75
Investigative65
Artistic0
Social11
Enterprising8
Conventional71

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

hydrogeologist · DE Hydrogeologe/Hydrogeologin · FR hydrogéologue
hydrologist · DE Hydrologe/Hydrologin · FR hydrologue
oceanographer · DE Ozeanograf/Ozeanografin · FR océanographe
conservation scientist · DE Wissenschaftler Natur- und Artenschutz/Wissenschaftlerin Natur- und Artenschutz · FR agent chargé de protection et sauvegarde du patrimoine naturel/agente chargée de protection et sauvegarde du patrimoine naturel
ecologist · DE Ökologe/Ökologin · FR écologue
mining geotechnical engineer · DE Ingenieur Geotechnik und Bergbau/Ingenieurin Geotechnik und Bergbau · FR ingénieur géotechnicien des mines/ingénieure géotechnicienne des mines

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Conservation professionals (2151)21,900 employed
Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. (2119)36,500 employed
Chartered surveyors (2454)67,300 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

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