Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Hydrologic Technicians?

65/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 19-4044

πŸ’‘ Hydrologic Technicians have a composite risk score of 65/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 91%, GenAI exposure: 74/100). With 2,940 workers in the US, this is one of the most AI-vulnerable occupations. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

With 2,940 workers and a median wage of $59K,hydrologic technicians represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 74%, meaning a majority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

65/100

Employment

2,940

Median Wage

$59K

GenAI Exposure

74%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Automated laboratory instrumentation and workflows

2.

Robotic sample preparation and experimentation

3.

AI coding assistants reducing developer demand

4.

AI-accelerated data analysis and pattern recognition

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise

βœ“

Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review

βœ“

Ethical oversight of research involving human subjects

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Social Scientists and Related Workers

73% skills overlap Β· $93K median wage

21/100

Political Scientists

80% skills overlap Β· $139K median wage

25/100

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians

78% skills overlap Β· $79K median wage

26/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace hydrologic technicians?

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

What is the AI risk score for hydrologic technicians?

Hydrologic Technicians have a composite AI automation risk score of 65 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

How many hydrologic technicians are there in the US?

There are approximately 2,940 hydrologic technicians employed in the United States.

What do hydrologic technicians earn?

The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians is $59K.

What skills should hydrologic technicians develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise, collaborative scientific discourse and peer review, ethical oversight of research involving human subjects. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.