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.

On the job, you would:

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.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians evaluate data and samples using a variety of techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.

Communication skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians explain their methods and findings through oral and written reports to scientists, engineers, managers, and other technicians.

Critical-thinking skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians must use their judgment when interpreting scientific data and determining what is relevant to their work.

Interpersonal skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians need to be able to work well with others as part of a team.

Physical stamina. To do fieldwork, geological and hydrologic technicians must be able to reach remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Analyze environmental data.

Advise others about environmental management or conservation.

Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.

Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.

Collect environmental data or samples.

Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.

Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

Compile environmental or climatological data.

Advise others about environmental management or conservation.

Research hydrologic features or processes.

Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.

Communicate with the public on environmental issues.

Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.

Evaluate data quality.

Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.

Install gauges or controls.

Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.

Write reports or evaluations.

Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.

Write reports or evaluations.

What Geological and Hydrologic Technicians Do

Geological and hydrologic technicians help identify locations that are suitable for oil and gas wells.

Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources, such as soil, natural gas, and water.

Duties

Geological and hydrologic technicians typically do the following:

Install and maintain laboratory and field equipment
Gather samples in the field, such as mud and water, and prepare them for analysis in the laboratory
Conduct scientific tests on samples to determine their content and characteristics
Record data from tests and compile information from reports, databases, and other sources
Prepare reports and maps to identify geological characteristics of areas that may have valuable natural resources

Geological and hydrologic technicians typically specialize either in fieldwork and laboratory study or in analyzing data. However, technicians may have duties that overlap into multiple areas.

In the field, geological and hydrologic technicians use equipment, such as seismic instruments and depth sensors, to gather data. They also use tools, such as shovels and gauges, to collect samples for analysis. In laboratories, these technicians use microscopes, computers, and other equipment to analyze samples for problem-solving and other purposes.

Geological and hydrologic technicians work on teams under the supervision of scientists and engineers. Geological technicians help with tasks such as exploring and developing prospective sites or monitoring the productivity of existing ones. Hydrologic technicians assist with a variety of projects, such as providing information for negotiating water rights.

Geologic and hydrologic technicians also might work with scientists and technicians of other disciplines. For example, these technicians may work with environmental scientists and technicians to identify the potential impacts of drilling on an area’s soil and water quality.

Work Environment

Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians held about 9,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians were as follows:

Architectural, engineering, and related services	53%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	17
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	6
Transportation and warehousing	4
Management of companies and enterprises	3

Hydrologic technicians held about 3,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of hydrologic technicians were as follows:

Federal government	59%
Professional, scientific, and technical services	9
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	7
Chemical manufacturing	4

Geological and hydrologic technicians work either in fields and laboratories or in offices. Fieldwork requires technicians to be outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, where they are exposed to all types of weather. In addition, technicians may need to stay on location for days or weeks to collect data and monitor equipment. Geological and hydrologic technicians who work in offices spend most of their time on computers to organize and analyze data, write reports, and produce maps.

Work Schedules

Most geological and hydrologic technicians work full time. Technicians generally work standard hours in laboratories and offices but may have irregular schedules in the field.

Getting Started

Education:

How to Become a Geological or Hydrologic Technician

Geological and hydrologic technicians use laboratory equipment such as microscopes to analyze samples collected in the field.

Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree in applied science or science-related technology to enter the occupation. Some employers require a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.

Education

Although entry-level positions typically require an associate’s degree in applied science or a science-related technology, employers may prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technician jobs that are data intensive or highly technical may require a bachelor’s degree.

Community colleges and technical institutes may offer programs in geosciences, mining, or a related subject, such as geographic information systems (GIS). Regardless of the program, most students take courses in geology, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and physics. Schools also may offer internships and cooperative-education programs in which students gain experience while attending school.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some geological and hydrologic technicians may be required to have the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) certification. HAZWOPER certification includes training in health hazards, personal protective equipment, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination. Refresher training may be required to maintain certification.

The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) offers different levels of voluntary certification for hydrologic technicians. Each level requires different amounts of education and experience. Recertification is required periodically.

Training

Geological and hydrologic technicians typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency. Under the supervision of experienced technicians, new technicians gain hands-on experience using field and laboratory equipment and computer software. The length of training may vary from 1 to 12 months.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 1,300 openings for geological and hydrologic technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Projected employment of geological and hydrologic technicians varies by occupation (see table). Demand for natural gas, along with exploration and management of resources such as minerals and water, is expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about careers in geology, visit

American Geosciences Institute

For information about careers related to ground water, visit

National Ground Water Association (NGWA)

For more information about hydrology careers and certification, visit

The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH)

For more information about careers in oil and gas exploration, visit

American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Society of Petroleum Engineers

For more information about careers in coal and mineral extraction, visit

National Mining Association

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of geological and hydrologic technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, measure, and interpret geographic information in order to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, and other purposes.	Bachelor's degree	$71,890
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build infrastructure and development projects.	Associate's degree	$59,630
Civil Engineers	Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.	Bachelor's degree	$89,940
Geoscientists	Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.	Bachelor's degree	$87,480
Hydrologists	Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.	Bachelor's degree	$85,990
Petroleum Engineers	Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.	Bachelor's degree	$131,800
Surveying and Mapping Technicians	Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.	High school diploma or equivalent	$47,180