Hydrologic Technician Salary
Hydrologic Technicians earn a median $64,790 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What hydrologic technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.3% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 400
Employment of hydrologic technicians is projected to shrink 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Hydrologic Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,595
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,017
- Medicare (1.45%)$939
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$54,239
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,950 | $21.61 | $38,297 |
| 25th percentile | $52,040 | $25.02 | $43,994 |
| Median (50th) | $64,790 | $31.15 | $54,239 |
| 75th percentile | $84,680 | $40.71 | $68,402 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,480 | $48.31 | $79,518 |
Hydrologic Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $88,400 | +66.0% | $71,019 | $47,360 – $122,000 | 270 |
| Washington | $85,240 | +4.7% | $68,796 | $49,940 – $103,540 | 70 |
| New Mexico | $79,710 | — | $62,325 | $50,480 – $120,520 | 50 |
| Missouri | $79,440 | +9.4% | $61,920 | $50,770 – $98,550 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $73,820 | +9.0% | $57,291 | $50,920 – $98,000 | 60 |
| California | $70,790 | +10.8% | $55,259 | $48,480 – $104,750 | 300 |
| Nevada | $68,660 | — | $57,132 | $41,180 – $95,620 | 30 |
| Maryland | $67,520 | +9.4% | $53,487 | $39,670 – $97,510 | 50 |
| Georgia | $66,770 | +5.4% | $52,960 | $42,800 – $101,630 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,420 | −0.8% | $52,737 | $47,580 – $102,610 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $65,190 | +13.2% | $52,506 | $47,170 – $101,650 | 40 |
| New York | $65,190 | +11.3% | $51,637 | $42,470 – $94,060 | 50 |
| Arizona | $65,170 | — | $53,124 | $40,330 – $96,100 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $65,170 | — | $52,381 | $44,950 – $96,100 | 30 |
| Louisiana | $65,170 | −4.1% | $52,975 | $44,320 – $91,170 | 40 |
| New Hampshire | $64,790 | −16.0% | $54,239 | $62,390 – $98,700 | 50 |
| Oregon | $62,510 | +7.1% | $47,767 | $45,150 – $100,900 | 80 |
| Florida | $61,820 | +18.4% | $51,852 | $44,520 – $89,230 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $60,100 | +22.7% | $48,607 | $40,330 – $91,170 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $59,590 | +15.2% | $48,192 | $47,370 – $94,570 | 110 |
| Colorado | $56,780 | +4.2% | $46,013 | $49,940 – $96,030 | — |
| Idaho | $54,950 | −3.4% | $44,528 | $45,350 – $83,780 | 50 |
| Montana | $53,550 | +5.6% | $43,447 | $40,060 – $86,260 | 70 |
| Illinois | $52,870 | +4.5% | $42,189 | $52,870 – $77,760 | — |
| Virginia | $52,190 | +2.0% | $41,928 | $37,650 – $91,170 | 40 |
| Ohio | $52,120 | +8.5% | $43,407 | $29,590 – $82,280 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $48,230 | +5.6% | $39,491 | $40,210 – $81,330 | — |
| Tennessee | $30,780 | — | $26,912 | $27,730 – $86,260 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hydrologic technician make?
The national median salary for hydrologic technicians is $64,790 a year ($31.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,950 and the top 10% earn over $100,480. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays hydrologic technicians the most?
Texas has the highest median pay at $88,400.
How many hydrologic technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 2,840 people work as hydrologic technicians nationwide.