Hydrologic Technicians in Colorado
Want to work as a Hydrologic Technicians in Colorado? Here’s what the data says. 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).
What do Hydrologic Technicians Make in Colorado?
For hydrologic technicians working in Colorado, the median annual wage is $54,500 per year (or roughly $26.20/hour).Pay can range from $49,000 at the 10th percentile to $94,180 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| 25th percentile | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Median (50th) | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| 75th percentile | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| 90th percentile | $94,180 | $45.28 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Colorado relative to the national average — is 2.29, indicating that hydrologic technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, hydrologic technicians earn a median of $92,011 per year ($44.24/hour), below the Colorado median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 134,433 hydrologic technicians across the United States. In Colorado alone, around 130 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 60 hydrologic technicians.
Top States for Hydrologic Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most hydrologic technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 400 |
| Texas | 220 |
| Florida | 160 |
| Colorado | 130 |
| North Carolina | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | 100 |
| Oregon | 90 |
| Idaho | 90 |
| Washington | 80 |
| Maryland | 80 |
| Ohio | 70 |
| Wisconsin | 60 |
| New Hampshire | 60 |
| Georgia | 60 |
| New Jersey | 50 |
| New York | 50 |
| Puerto Rico | 50 |
| Michigan | 40 |
| Utah | 40 |
| Louisiana | 40 |
Highest-Paying States for Hydrologic Technicians
These states pay the most for hydrologic technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $81,380 |
| New Hampshire | $77,140 |
| Missouri | $72,630 |
| Alaska | $72,240 |
| Louisiana | $67,950 |
| Massachusetts | $67,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,960 |
| Utah | $65,960 |
| California | $63,900 |
| Georgia | $63,360 |
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, hydrologic technicians typically:
- 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.
- Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
- Estimate the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
- Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.
- Investigate the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.
- Locate and deliver information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.
- Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as water levels, volume, and flow.
- Perform quality control checks on data to be used by hydrologists.
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, ESRI ArcGIS software In-demand technologies: Geographic information system GIS systems
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Other Science Technologies
- General Science Technologies
- Physical Science Technicians
- Geological & Earth Sciences
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to hydrologic technicians include:
- Water Resource Specialists
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Civil Engineers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
Also Known As
Field Technician (Field Tech), GIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician), Groundwater Monitoring Technician, Hydro Operator, Hydrographer, Hydrography Technician, Hydrologic Aid, Hydrologic Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-4044.00
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