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Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $53,350 Median per year · $25.65/hr Most earn $35,770–$99,560

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
  • Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
  • Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
  • Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
  • Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials.
  • Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 1,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Engineering services23.5%
  • Support activities for mining18.9%
  • Testing laboratories and services14.7%
  • Oil and gas extraction5.6%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services5.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degree

Geological technician is usually reached with a bachelor's degree, so it's not a job you can typically start with just a high school diploma. The usual path is about four years of college, plus any internships or field work you can fit in along the way.

  1. High school diploma with strong math and science

    4 years

    Build a foundation in math, chemistry, physics, and earth science so you're ready for a college science program.

  2. Bachelor's degree in geology or earth science

    4 years

    Coursework in mineralogy, geology, chemistry, and field methods teaches you the instruments and lab work this job relies on.

  3. Geological Technician

    Entry level

    You assist scientists and engineers with measuring instruments, analyze mud and drill samples, and record well data in labs and in the field.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Geological Technician

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more independent data collection, train newer technicians, and handle more complex lab or field work with less supervision.

  2. Remote Sensing Scientist

    2-4 years of experience first

    You work with satellite and aerial imagery to map resources and terrain, which builds on the data skills you use as a geological technician and often requires more advanced training.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry, physics, and earth scienceThese classes build the background you'll need for a geology or earth science major.
  • Join a science club or science fairPlanning experiments and presenting results shows you how scientists collect and explain data.
  • Take algebra and statistics if offeredMeasuring and charting well or rock data depends on comfort with numbers and graphs.
  • Look for a summer or weekend job at a lab, nature center, or outdoor programAny job where you handle equipment, record measurements, or work outdoors gives you useful experience.
  • Explore rocks and minerals on your own or in a local clubHands-on interest in rock and mineral identification is a great starting point for this field.

In college

  • Major in geology or earth scienceThis degree is the typical entry route and covers the minerals, rock, and field methods this job uses.
  • Take lab and field methods coursesHands-on work with instruments and sample analysis prepares you for the daily tasks of a geological technician.
  • Seek an internship or summer field jobReal experience with drilling, mapping, or lab work helps you stand out when you apply for your first job.
  • Join a geology or earth science student clubClubs often arrange field trips and connect you with working professionals and alumni.
  • Learn GIS or data softwareSkills in mapping software and spreadsheets are useful for recording and charting geological data.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask your science teacher or a local geology or mining office about job shadowing or a summer job, since hands-on field experience helps your applications stand out.
  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and basic data tools, because much of the work involves recording and charting measurements.
  • Keep track of any field camp, lab, or equipment experience during college so you can describe it clearly when you apply.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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