Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Hydrologic technicians work in a specialized scientific field that combines technical skills with quantitative analysis. Nationally, this is a relatively small occupation with about 3,000 workers. The national median annual salary of $58,570 places this career in a solid mid-range earnings bracket. While the projected national employment growth is -2.1%, opportunity can still vary by state and metro area, with some locations offering higher salaries and noted opportunity scores. Hydrologic technicians benefit from a blend of skills in mathematics, science, computers and information technology, and critical and analytical thinking, supported by strong communication abilities. The role also values project management, leadership, and mechanical skills, along with creativity and innovation. The typical education for entering this field is an associate’s degree, making it accessible to those seeking a scientific and technical career path without necessarily completing a four-year degree. Similar occupations to consider include hydrologists, geoscientists, materials scientists, physical scientists, and agricultural engineers.
The national median annual salary for hydrologic technicians is $58,570. Earnings can differ across states and metro areas, with several locations standing out for higher median pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports the highest median salary at $85,240, followed by Massachusetts at $73,820 and California at $70,790. New York and Virginia have median salaries of $65,190 and $52,190, respectively. At the metro level, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA shows a median salary of $82,360, while Washington, DC–adjacent Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD reports $62,450. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA and Raleigh-Cary, NC both offer median salaries around the low $70,000s, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL offers $64,570. These variations suggest that location decisions can significantly influence earning potential for hydrologic technicians, especially for those able to target higher-paying states and metros.
Hydrologic technicians currently account for about 3,000 jobs nationally. The projected employment growth for this occupation is -2.1%, and annual openings are listed as 0. Together, these figures indicate a relatively limited expansion of positions at the national level. However, this outlook is consistent across the states and metro areas listed, each also showing a -2.1% growth rate. This means that while there may be hiring and turnover in specific places, the overall number of roles is not projected to increase. For students and job seekers, this makes it especially important to pay attention to geographic differences in opportunity scores and salaries when planning a career path. People interested in similar scientific work might also explore related roles such as hydrologists, geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers), materials scientists, physical scientists (all other), and agricultural engineers when considering long-term employment prospects.
Location matters for hydrologic technicians, with clear differences in salary and opportunity scores across states and metro areas. Among the top states, Washington stands out for a median salary of $85,240, the highest in the group, though it has employment of 70. Massachusetts and California combine relatively high salaries ($73,820 and $70,790) with the highest opportunity scores (65.87 and 67.38) and larger employment bases of 60 and 300, respectively. New York and Virginia provide additional options, with median salaries of $65,190 and $52,190 and smaller employment levels. At the metro level, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA offers a strong salary of $82,360, while Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA and Raleigh-Cary, NC cluster around $70,500–$70,750. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL show mid-$60,000s salaries. Comparing these locations can help candidates weigh higher salaries, opportunity scores, and job concentrations when deciding where to pursue hydrologic technician roles.
Hydrologic technicians typically enter the field with an associate’s degree. This level of education supports the technical and analytical foundation reflected in the top skills for the occupation. Mathematics and science are central, indicating the importance of quantitative reasoning and scientific understanding. Computers and information technology skills are also key, suggesting regular use of digital tools and systems. Critical and analytical thinking, combined with strong writing and reading abilities, supports careful analysis and clear communication. Creativity and innovation, along with project management and leadership, point to roles that can involve organizing work and contributing ideas, not just following established procedures. Speaking and listening skills are important for effective collaboration, while mechanical skills indicate a hands-on, practical component to the work. Together, this mix makes hydrologic technology a technical career option accessible through a two-year degree while still requiring a broad and versatile skill set.
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