Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

SOC: 19-4043 O*NET: 19-4043.00
Median Salary
$48,390
per year
Job Growth
➑️ 1.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

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.

What does a Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians 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.

How much can you earn?

Salary Distribution by Percentile

Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.

10th
$29,034
25th
$38,712
50th (Median)
$48,390
75th
$58,068
90th
$72,585

Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.

Typical Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

  • βœ“Health Insurance
  • βœ“Dental Insurance
  • βœ“Vision Insurance
  • βœ“Mental Health Support
  • βœ“Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits

  • βœ“401(k) Retirement Plan
  • βœ“Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
  • βœ“Profit Sharing
  • βœ“Stock Options
  • βœ“Performance Bonuses

Work-Life Balance

  • βœ“Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
  • βœ“Paid Sick Leave
  • βœ“Flexible Work Arrangements
  • βœ“Remote Work Options
  • βœ“Parental Leave

Professional Development

  • βœ“Tuition Reimbursement
  • βœ“Professional Certifications
  • βœ“Conference Attendance
  • βœ“Training Programs
  • βœ“Mentorship Opportunities

Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:9,800

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+1.5%
Annual Openings:1,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)9,800
Current
2034 (Projected)10,000
+1.5%
+100
Employment Change
+1.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Key Growth Factors

    Standard growth expectations for this occupation

    What skills do you need?

    Top 10 Most Important Skills

    #1
    Reading Comprehension
    100%
    #2
    Critical Thinking
    94%
    #3
    Writing
    86%
    #4
    Monitoring
    80%
    #5
    Time Management
    74%
    #6
    Active Listening
    66%
    #7
    Judgment and Decision Making
    60%
    #8
    Complex Problem Solving
    54%
    #9
    Operations Monitoring
    46%
    #10
    Speaking
    40%

    Skills Overview

    Reading Comprehension
    advanced5.0
    100%
    Critical Thinking
    advanced4.7
    94%
    Writing
    intermediate4.3
    86%
    Monitoring
    intermediate4.0
    80%
    Time Management
    intermediate3.7
    74%
    Active Listening
    intermediate3.3
    66%
    Judgment and Decision Making
    intermediate3.0
    60%
    Complex Problem Solving
    advanced2.7
    54%

    Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

    Filter:
    Sort by:

    Reading Comprehension

    advanced
    Importance100%
    abilities
    5.0/5.0

    Critical Thinking

    advanced
    Importance94%
    abilities
    4.7/5.0

    Writing

    intermediate
    Importance86%
    skills
    4.3/5.0

    Monitoring

    intermediate
    Importance80%
    skills
    4.0/5.0

    Time Management

    intermediate
    Importance74%
    skills
    3.7/5.0

    Active Listening

    intermediate
    Importance66%
    skills
    3.3/5.0

    Judgment and Decision Making

    intermediate
    Importance60%
    abilities
    3.0/5.0

    Complex Problem Solving

    advanced
    Importance54%
    abilities
    2.7/5.0

    Operations Monitoring

    basic
    Importance46%
    skills
    2.3/5.0

    Speaking

    basic
    Importance40%
    skills
    2.0/5.0

    Highly Transferable Skills

    These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

    Anesthesiologists82%
    5 shared skills
    Broadcast Technicians82%
    5 shared skills
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
    5 shared skills
    Dental Laboratory Technicians82%
    5 shared skills
    Desktop Publishers82%
    5 shared skills
    Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
    5 shared skills

    Skills by Career Stage

    Entry Level

    Must Have:
    • βœ“Writing
    • βœ“Monitoring
    Learn on the Job:
    • β†’Active Listening
    • β†’Judgment and Decision Making
    • β†’Complex Problem Solving

    Mid Career

    Expected:
    • βœ“Writing
    • βœ“Monitoring
    • βœ“Reading Comprehension
    • βœ“Critical Thinking

    Senior Level

    Mastery Required:
    • β˜…Writing
    • β˜…Reading Comprehension
    • β˜…Critical Thinking

    Skill Development Tips

    • β€’Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
    • β€’Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
    • β€’Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
    • β€’Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

    What technology will you use?

    Technology & Digital Skills

    Essential technology proficiencies for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

    Technology Intensity
    Very High
    πŸ”₯

    Hot Technologies in Demand

    These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

    Autodesk AutoCAD

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Access

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Outlook

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    SAP software

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    ESRI ArcGIS software

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Adobe Illustrator

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Office software

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft PowerPoint

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Excel

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Microsoft Word

    πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

    Technology Stack

    Technology Stack Overview

    Key technologies used in this career

    Autodesk AutoCAD
    Microsoft Access
    Microsoft Outlook
    SAP software
    ESRI ArcGIS software
    Adobe Illustrator
    Microsoft Office software
    Microsoft PowerPoint
    Microsoft Excel
    Microsoft Word

    πŸ“š Technology Learning Resources

    Recommended Certifications

    • β€’Vendor-specific software certifications
    • β€’Industry-recognized technology credentials
    • β€’Professional development courses

    Online Learning Platforms

    • β€’LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
    • β€’Coursera - University-level programs
    • β€’Udemy - Practical skills training

    πŸ’‘ Technology Skill Development Tips

    • β€’Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
    • β€’Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
    • β€’Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
    • β€’Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

    What's the work environment like?

    πŸ—οΈ
    Location
    Varies
    πŸ’ͺ
    Physical Demand
    LOW
    πŸ‘₯
    Team Orientation
    Varies
    🀝
    Customer Interaction
    NONE

    πŸ’‘Is This Work Environment Right for You?

    Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

    • β€’Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
    • β€’Can you meet low physical demands?

    What education is required?

    Education Required

    Bachelor's degree or higher

    Experience Required

    A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

    Job Training

    Significant preparation with related work experience