What do 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.
Also known as:
Core Inspector, Environmental Field Services Technician, Environmental Sampling Technician, Geological E-Logger, Geological Technician, Geoscience Technician, Geotechnician, Materials Technician, Physical Science Technician, Soils Technician
No Data Available
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5.9%
Change
Ranks #12 in job growth rate20Job Openings
Ranks #14 in net job growth
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- Bachelor's degree (34%)
- Some college, no degree (21%)
- High school diploma equivalent (19%)
- Associate's degree (13%)
- Master's degree (9%)
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (2%)
- Less than high school diploma (2%)
Most Popular Majors that prepare Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
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#1
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Degrees Granted
163
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Female Students
17
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Male Students
146
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Median Starting Salary
$56,989
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#2
-
Degrees Granted
130
-
Female Students
67
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Male Students
63
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Median Starting Salary
$44,800
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#3
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Degrees Granted
5
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Female Students
0
-
Male Students
5
-
Median Starting Salary
$56,989
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#4
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Degrees Granted
3
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Female Students
2
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Male Students
1
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Median Starting Salary
$56,989
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People in this career often have these skills:
- 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.
- 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.
People in this career often know a lot about:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
People in this career often have talent in:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Analyze geological samples.
- Collect samples for analysis or testing.
- Record research or operational data.
- Prepare maps.
- Operate laboratory or field equipment.
- Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
- Research geological features or processes.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment.
- Direct technical activities or operations.
- Analyze geological or geographical data.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
- Collect archival data.
- Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment.
- Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
- Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
- Compile geographic or related data.
- Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
- Direct natural resources extraction projects.
- Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Recommend packing or shipping methods.
- Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
This page includes data from:
Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database
by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
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