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Hydrologic Technicians Salary
Hydrologic Technicians earn a median $64,790 a year in the U.S., with 2,840 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $64,790 a year
- Employment
- 2,840
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- -1.3%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 400
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $64,790 · $31.15 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $69,530 · $33.43 an hour (estimate error ±2.5%)
- 10th percentile
- $44,950 · $21.61 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $52,040 · $25.02 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $84,680 · $40.71 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $100,480 · $48.31 an hour
- Employment
- 2,840 (estimate error ±6.3%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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. Excludes “Hydrologists” (19-2043).
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 3,000
- Projected for 2035
- 3,000
- Change
- Little or no change
- Openings each year
- 400
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $88,400 | 270 |
| 2 | Washington | $85,240 | 70 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $79,710 | 50 |
| 4 | Missouri | $79,440 | 40 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $73,820 | 60 |
| 6 | California | $70,790 | 300 |
| 7 | Nevada | $68,660 | 30 |
| 8 | Maryland | $67,520 | 50 |
| 9 | Georgia | $66,770 | 60 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $65,420 | 100 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | 300 | $70,790 |
| Texas | 270 | $88,400 |
| Florida | 240 | $61,820 |
| North Carolina | 110 | $59,590 |
| Pennsylvania | 100 | $65,420 |
| Ohio | 80 | $52,120 |
| Oregon | 80 | $62,510 |
| Montana | 70 | $53,550 |
| Washington | 70 | $85,240 |
| Georgia | 60 | $66,770 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $64,750 | 110 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 110 | $64,750 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 100 | Not reported |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 60 | $70,510 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 40 | $62,450 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 40 | $64,570 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 40 | $82,360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 40 | $70,750 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 40 | $60,700 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 30 | $54,200 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 30 | $57,160 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 30 | $79,860 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Not reported | $52,300 |
Visa filings for this occupation
Wages employers offered on Department of Labor filings
- PERM green card (FY 2026 through Q3)1 certified filingsMedian offered wage Not reported
Hydrologic Technicians pay by state
Related occupations
- Agricultural Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Biological Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
Frequently asked questions
- How much do hydrologic technicians make?
- The median wage for hydrologic technicians in the U.S. is $64,790 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,040 and $84,680.
- Which state pays hydrologic technicians the most?
- Texas has the highest median wage for this occupation at $88,400 a year.
- What is the job outlook for hydrologic technicians?
- BLS projects employment to decline 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, with about 400 openings each year on average.
- What education do hydrologic technicians need?
- The typical entry-level education is: associate's degree.