Hydrologic Technicians

The median annual wage for Hydrologic Technicians is $55,890, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $61,500, and an estimated 3,000 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2021 and 2023, pay rose -10.3% while consumer prices rose 12.4% — a real change of -20.2% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will shrink 2.1% between 2024 and 2034.

Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment

How the national median wage for Hydrologic Technicians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.

National median wage trend for Hydrologic Technicians, nominal and inflation-adjusted, BLS OEWS.
Year	Median (nominal)	In 2023 $ (real)	Employment
2023	$55,890	$55,890	3,000
2022	$58,360	$60,762	2,920
2021	$62,280	$70,033	3,550

Nominal change

-10.3%

Inflation (CPI)

+12.4%

Real change

-20.2%

Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)

The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).

Projected Growth

-2.1%

Declining

Employment 2024

3,100

Projected 2034

3,000

Annual Openings

400

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Highest-Paying Areas (2023)

Where Hydrologic Technicians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $55,890. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.

Highest-paying areas for Hydrologic Technicians, BLS OEWS 2023.
Area	Median Annual	vs National	Employment
Arizona	$73,120	+30.8%	80
Washington	$72,340	+29.4%	80
Hawaii	$71,950	+28.7%	30
California	$64,810	+16%	330
Georgia	$64,730	+15.8%	50
Idaho	$60,690	+8.6%	90
Missouri	$60,320	+7.9%	50
Utah	$59,010	+5.6%	40
Illinois	$58,870	+5.3%	50
New York	$58,550	+4.8%	60