SOC 19-4044
Hydrologic Technicians
Risk Score
⚠️65/100
High Risk
US Employment
👥2,940
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$59K
$40K – $94K
Projected Growth
📈-2.1%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖74/100
High exposure
💡 Hydrologic Technicians face a risk score of 65/100 — 21 points above the national average of 44. With 74/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite weak projected growth. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $59K ($12K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 65/100, Hydrologic Technicians faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 2,940 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise and collaborative scientific discourse and peer review to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Hydrologic Technicians?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows
Robotic sample preparation and experimentation
AI coding assistants reducing developer demand
AI-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise
Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review
Ethical oversight of research involving human subjects
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers | 21 | $93K | 73% |
| Political Scientists | 25 | $139K | 80% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians | 26 | $79K | 78% |