Texas Career Check. Education & Career Planning

Occupation Summary

Hydrologic Technicians

O*NET 19-4044.00

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.

Annual Wages:
$62,893.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 4.24%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Analyze ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
  2. Answer technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
  3. Apply research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
  4. Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
  5. Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
  6. Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
  7. Estimate the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
  8. Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.
  9. Investigate the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.
  10. Locate and deliver information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.
  11. Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as water levels, volume, and flow.
  12. Perform quality control checks on data to be used by hydrologists.
  13. Prepare, install, maintain, or repair equipment used for hydrologic study, such as water level recorders, stream flow gauges, and water analyzers.
  14. Provide real time data to emergency management and weather service personnel during flood events.
  15. Write groundwater contamination reports on known, suspected, or potential hazardous waste sites.
  16. Write materials for research publications, such as maps, tables, and reports, to disseminate findings.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Hydrologic Technicians employed Annual Growth Rate
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 4.7 7.18
Architectural, engineering, and related services 4.5 0.00
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 2.9 0.00


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $30.24
2024 National average hourly wage $30.97
2022 National employment 3,100
2022 Texas employment 425
Texas projected employment by 2032 443
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 46




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.





Other Activities


No work importance values found.



No tools found.


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Datasurge GEOPRO; Delft GeoSystems MStab; GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W; Mitre Software GSLOPE; Salix Applied Earthcare Erosion Draw;
Data base user interface and query software: State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database; Microsoft Access;
Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;
Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Email software;
Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software;
Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;
Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;
Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;
Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;
Web platform development software: Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP;
Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Hydrologic Technicians include:
  • 19-1031.00 Conservation Scientists
  • 17-3025.00 Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 19-2041.02 Environmental Restoration Planners
  • 19-4042.00 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
  • 19-2041.00 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
  • 19-4043.00 Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
  • 19-2043.00 Hydrologists
  • 11-9121.02 Water Resource Specialists
  • 17-2051.02 Water/Wastewater Engineers


Sources of Additional 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
  • Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
  • Hydrologic Technicians
    • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.