### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Geological and Hydrologic Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			geological and petroleum technicians imageGeological and petroleum technicians monitor well exploration activities, and record data such as well temperatures and pressures.							
						Quick Facts:     Geological and Hydrologic Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$53,440     per year
										$25.69     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    12,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    2% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    300What Geological and Hydrologic Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Geological and hydrologic technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most geological and hydrologic technicians work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Geological or Hydrologic Technician
                                                
                        
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians was $52,440 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians was $55,890 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow							 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 1,300 openings for geological and hydrologic technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for geological and hydrologic technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geological and hydrologic technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about geological and hydrologic technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Geological and Hydrologic Technicians Do 
            

			Geological and petroleum techniciansGeological and hydrologic technicians help identify locations that are suitable for oil and gas wells.			
Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources, such as soil, natural gas, and water.
Duties
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically do the following:
Install and maintain laboratory and field equipment
Gather samples in the field, such as mud and water, and prepare them for analysis in the laboratory
Conduct scientific tests on samples to determine their content and characteristics
Record data from tests and compile information from reports, databases, and other sources
Prepare reports and maps to identify geological characteristics of areas that may have valuable natural resourcesGeological and hydrologic technicians typically specialize either in fieldwork and laboratory study or in analyzing data. However, technicians may have duties that overlap into multiple areas.
In the field, geological and hydrologic technicians use equipment, such as seismic instruments and depth sensors, to gather data. They also use tools, such as shovels and gauges, to collect samples for analysis. In laboratories, these technicians use microscopes, computers, and other equipment to analyze samples for problem-solving and other purposes.
Geological and hydrologic technicians work on teams under the supervision of scientists and engineers. Geological technicians help with tasks such as exploring and developing prospective sites or monitoring the productivity of existing ones. Hydrologic technicians assist with a variety of projects, such as providing information for negotiating water rights.
Geologic and hydrologic technicians also might work with scientists and technicians of other disciplines. For example, these technicians may work with environmental scientists and technicians to identify the potential impacts of drilling on an area’s soil and water quality.
 Work Environment
			Geological and petroleum techniciansFieldwork requires technicians to work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, where they are exposed to all types of weather.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians held about 9,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians were as follows:
        Architectural, engineering, and related services
                53%Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
                17Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                6Transportation and warehousing
                4Management of companies and enterprises
                3Hydrologic technicians held about 3,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of hydrologic technicians were as follows:
        Federal government
                59%Professional, scientific, and technical services
                9Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                7Educational services; state, local, and private
                3Geological and hydrologic technicians work either in fields and laboratories or in offices. Fieldwork requires technicians to be outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, where they are exposed to all types of weather. In addition, technicians may need to stay on location for days or weeks to collect data and monitor equipment. Geological and hydrologic technicians who work in offices spend most of their time on computers to organize and analyze data, write reports, and produce maps.
Work Schedules
Most geological and hydrologic technicians work full time. Technicians generally work standard hours in laboratories and offices but may have irregular schedules in the field.
 How to Become a Geological or Hydrologic Technician

			Geological and petroleum techniciansGeological and hydrologic technicians use laboratory equipment such as microscopes to analyze samples collected in the field.			
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree in applied science or science-related technology to enter the occupation. Some employers require a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.
Education
Although entry-level positions typically require an associate’s degree in applied science or a science-related technology, employers may prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technician jobs that are data intensive or highly technical may require a bachelor’s degree.
Community colleges and technical institutes may offer programs in geosciences, mining, or a related subject, such as geographic information systems (GIS). Regardless of the program, most students take courses in geology, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and physics. Schools also may offer internships and cooperative-education programs in which students gain experience while attending school.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some geological and hydrologic technicians may be required to have the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) certification. HAZWOPER certification includes training in health hazards, personal protective equipment, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination. Refresher training may be required to maintain certification.
The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) offers different levels of voluntary certification for hydrologic technicians. Each level requires different amounts of education and experience. Recertification is required periodically.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Geological and hydrologic technicians evaluate data and samples using a variety of techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.
***Communication skills.*** Geological and hydrologic technicians explain their methods and findings through oral and written reports to scientists, engineers, managers, and other technicians.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Geological and hydrologic technicians must use their judgment when interpreting scientific data and determining what is relevant to their work.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Geological and hydrologic technicians need to be able to work well with others as part of a team.
***Physical stamina.*** To do fieldwork, geological and hydrologic technicians must be able to reach remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.
Training
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically receive on-the-job training to attain competency. Under the supervision of experienced technicians, new technicians gain hands-on experience using field and laboratory equipment and computer software. The length of training may vary from 1 to 12 months.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Geological and Hydrologic TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Hydrologic technicians$55,890  Life, physical, and social science technicians$53,700  Geological and hydrologic technicians$53,440  Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians$52,440  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians was $52,440 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,750.The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians was $55,890 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,690, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,610.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Management of companies and enterprises
                $94,990Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
                62,030Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                54,010Transportation and warehousing
                54,000Architectural, engineering, and related services
                48,960In May 2023, the median annual wages for hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government
                $61,420Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                53,210Educational services; state, local, and private
                49,680Professional, scientific, and technical services
                48,270Most geological and hydrologic technicians work full time. Technicians generally work standard hours in laboratories and offices but may have irregular schedules in the field.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Geological and Hydrologic TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Life, physical, and social science technicians4%  Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians3%  Total, all occupations3%  Geological and hydrologic technicians2%  Hydrologic technicians0%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow				 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,300 openings for geological and hydrologic technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of geological and hydrologic technicians varies by occupation (see table). Demand for natural gas, along with exploration and management of resources such as minerals and water, is expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction.
			

                        Employment projections data for     geological and hydrologic technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Geological and hydrologic technicians**
			—
			12,500
			12,800
			2
			300
			—**Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians**
			19-4043
			9,400
			9,600
			3
			300
			Get data**Hydrologic technicians**
			19-4044
			3,100
			3,100
			0
			0
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
					Hydrologic technicians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of geological and hydrologic technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Cartographers and Photogrammetrists**
            Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information to create and update maps and related products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,210**Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Civil engineering technologists and technicians help civil engineers plan, design, and build infrastructure and development projects.
            Associate's degree
            $60,700**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Geoscientists**
            Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
            Bachelor's degree
            $92,580**Hydrologists**
            Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.
            Bachelor's degree
            $88,770**Petroleum Engineers**
            Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
            Bachelor's degree
            $135,690**Surveying and Mapping Technicians**
            Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,940
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in geology, visit
American Geosciences Institute
For information about careers related to ground water, visit
National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
For more information about hydrology careers and certification, visit
The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH)
For more information about careers in oil and gas exploration, visit
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Society of Petroleum Engineers
For more information about careers in coal and mineral extraction, visit
National Mining Association

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansHydrologic Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geological and Hydrologic Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geological-and-petroleum-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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