Out at wells and field sites, you keep watch on what's in the water underground — sampling, measuring, and recording groundwater data that flags contamination and tracks trends. Field science that protects what we drink.
On the ground, it means traveling to monitoring wells, collecting samples and recording field readings, then chain-of-custody to the lab. You're outdoors in all conditions, follow strict protocols, and a sloppy sample undermines everything. Reports and compliance follow.
What surprises people is how much rides on protocol and clean technique — the data feeds regulation and cleanup decisions. Fieldwork can be physical and remote, the routine is repetitive, and weather and site access shape the schedule. Settings span environmental firms, agencies, and industry.
What this rewards is someone methodical, reliable, and comfortable working outdoors. If you want a desk or fast variety, the repetition and conditions can wear. But if you like fieldwork with a clear purpose — protecting water and tracking the unseen — the work tends to feel worthwhile.
Remember “your permanent record”?
This time it works for you.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Your job belongs to your employer.
Your career belongs to you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
No skills data available
Out at wells and field sites, you keep watch on what's in the water underground — sampling, measuring, and recording groundwater data that flags contamination and tracks trends. Field science that protects what we drink.
Median pay for a Groundwater Monitoring Technician is about $59K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $40K to $94K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Employment in this field is projected to decline about 2.1% through 2034, with roughly 2,940 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Field Technician (Field Tech), Hydro Operator, and Hydrologic Technician.
It's your career.
Take the wheel.