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Employment Percentage
-13.26530612
SOC ID
19-4045
SOC Title
Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
ONET ID
19-4044.00
ONET Concat ID
19404400
Median Salary
76016.82
Ed Level High School
13.6
Ed Level Certificate
5.79
Ed Level Some College
4.91
Ed Level Associates
18.27
Ed Level Bachelors
29.299999
Ed Level Masters
28.129999
Ed Level Doctors
0
Typical Ed Level
a Bachelor's degree
Career Description
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.
Core 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.
Start Annual Earnings
35595.48
Top Annual Earnings
108826.67
EMSI Career Title Slug
hydrologic-technician