How much does a water technician make?

They travel to rivers, wells, or gauges, check instruments, measure water levels and flow, and collect samples. Back in a lab or office, they prepare samples for testing and check or organize the data.

Did you know? In winter, some U.S. hydrologic technicians drill holes through frozen rivers and measure the water flowing underneath to calculate streamflow.

In the U.S., a common route is an associate degree or about two years of college in applied science or a related technology; some technical jobs prefer a bachelor's. Employers then train new workers hands-on with field and lab tools.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., experience and extra training or certifications can matter, as can whether you work for a federal agency, a power company, local government, or a private firm. Location matters too, and field jobs may have irregular hours.