Also called: Hydrographer, Stream Gauger, Snow Surveyor
Measures streamflow, groundwater levels, and snowpack in the field for agencies like the USGS.
You visit stream gauges by truck, measure flow by wading or from a cableway over a river, and fix instruments. In winter, you might ski or snowmobile into the mountains to measure snowpack that predicts summer water supply.
Hydrologic technicians.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's in a science.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Environmental Science, Geology, Hydrology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Estimate.
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated stream gauges send data in real time; field checks and gear repair remain, with fewer techs needed.
Classes: Earth science, Algebra II, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4044.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.