Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Agriculture, Food and Natural ResourcesO*NET 19-4043.00United States
Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings.
- Median annual earnings
- $53,352
- Projected change
- +3.6%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 7.82K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
29.3% of the workforce
Growing to 8.1K by 2035
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ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
- Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
- Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
- Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
- Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
- Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
- Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
- Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $35,776
- 25th percentile
- $44,845
- 50th percentile
- $53,352
- 75th percentile
- $72,114
- 90th percentile
- $99,549
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $53,352 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+3.6%average or slower
20257,823 jobs
2035 projected8,102 jobs
279 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 29.3%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 28.1%
- Associate degree
- 18.3%
- High school diploma or less
- 13.6%
- Certificate
- 5.8%
- Some college
- 4.9%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Construction Materials Testing Technicians473 postings
- 02Construction Materials Technicians187 postings
- 03Construction Materials Field Technicians152 postings
- 04Materials Testing Technicians79 postings
- 05Environmental Engineers/Scientists/Geologists74 postings
- 06Policy Analysts58 postings
- 07Materials Technicians47 postings
- 08Wellsite Geologists27 postings
- 09Mud Loggers24 postings
- 10Mine Geologists16 postings
- 11Geological Engineers10 postings
- 12Geological Technicians10 postings
- 13Materials Engineering Technicians9 postings
- 14Field Geologists8 postings
- 15Geology Interns8 postings
- 16Geotechnical Technicians7 postings
- 17Hydraulics Engineers6 postings
- 18Loggers6 postings
- 19Characterization Engineers5 postings
- 20Geologists/Hydrogeologists5 postings
Top employers
- 01Building & Earth Sciences133 postings
- 02Actalent97 postings
- 03Intertek78 postings
- 04Thompson Engineering73 postings
- 05CDM Smith64 postings
- 06Cadmus International Limited54 postings
- 07Terracon Consultants46 postings
- 08Froehling & Robertson30 postings
- 09WSP Global30 postings
- 10Kleinfelder28 postings
- 11Talentstream22 postings
- 12Atlantic Testing Laboratories19 postings
- 13Gai Consultants19 postings
- 14Wsb15 postings
- 15Intertek Group plc13 postings
- 16Ttl13 postings
- 17Intertek Alchemy12 postings
- 18Atlas11 postings
- 19Wsb & Associates11 postings
- 20Cme Associates10 postings
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