Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Also called: Geological Technician, Geotechnician, Materials Technician, Physical Science TechnicianAssist 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 15 of its 29 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 3.6% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.2% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other life, physical, and social science technicians”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 59% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,670 | $30,260 to $46,800 | not published |
| Alaska | $76,090 | $57,260 to $129,790 | 70 |
| Arizona | $50,160 | $46,610 to $64,270 | not published |
| Arkansas | $47,250 | $43,960 to $59,800 | 30 |
| California | $69,410 | $53,610 to $83,470 | 480 |
| Colorado | $61,780 | $49,630 to $95,790 | 90 |
| Florida | $49,980 | $39,660 to $64,090 | 300 |
| Georgia | $34,710 | $34,710 to $77,580 | 30 |
| Idaho | $46,680 | $45,580 to $60,800 | 70 |
| Illinois | $53,280 | $42,950 to $64,420 | 80 |
| Indiana | $79,290 | $74,450 to $85,960 | not published |
| Kansas | $52,430 | $46,860 to $60,490 | not published |
| Kentucky | $49,840 | $47,380 to $77,150 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $59,120 | $48,480 to $75,200 | 160 |
| Maryland | $102,090 | $84,040 to $102,090 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | $54,270 to $78,900 | 40 |
| Michigan | $58,860 | $49,660 to $65,560 | 150 |
| Montana | $55,520 | $50,410 to $81,000 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $63,160 | $50,290 to $66,800 | not published |
| Nevada | $73,700 | $61,740 to $84,410 | 260 |
| New Mexico | $59,520 | $31,590 to $67,980 | not published |
| New York | $57,150 | $47,340 to $66,520 | 280 |
| North Carolina | $48,090 | $44,100 to $57,850 | 250 |
| North Dakota | $51,240 | $50,500 to $62,700 | 90 |
| Ohio | $48,890 | $41,670 to $63,690 | 130 |
| Oklahoma | $46,890 | $40,670 to $65,920 | 410 |
| Oregon | $55,090 | $50,160 to $59,100 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,380 | $36,510 to $53,350 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $53,160 | $48,210 to $63,230 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $63,050 | $55,690 to $71,930 | 110 |
| Texas | $46,840 | $39,300 to $63,230 | 2,190 |
| Virginia | $59,290 | $54,390 to $77,930 | not published |
| Washington | $63,910 | $54,220 to $63,910 | not published |
| West Virginia | $69,350 | $47,680 to $85,180 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | $47,750 to $80,360 | 90 |
Nationally: $53,350. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 15 of its 29 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis. | Not published |
| AI + software | Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections. | Not published |
| Not much | Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices. | Not published |
| Not much | Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis. | under 0.01% |
See all 29 tasks
| AI + software | Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting. | Not published |
| Not much | Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases. | Not published |
| Not much | Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data. | Not published |
| AI + software | Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas. | Not published |
| AI + software | Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Measure geological characteristics used in prospecting for oil or gas, using measuring instruments. | Not published |
| Not much | Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas. | Not published |
| Not much | Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations. | Not published |
| AI alone | Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials. | Not published |
| Not much | Supervise well exploration, drilling activities, or well completions. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect engines for wear or defective parts, using equipment or measuring devices. | Not published |
| AI alone | Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation. | Not published |
| AI + software | Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits. | Not published |
| Not much | Collect data on underground areas, such as reservoirs, that could be used in carbon sequestration operations. | Not published |
| Not much | Collect geological data from potential geothermal energy plant sites. | Not published |
| AI + software | Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites. | Not published |
| AI + software | Conduct geophysical surveys of potential sites for wind farms or solar installations to determine their suitability. | Not published |
| Not much | Evaluate and interpret seismic data with the aid of computers. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. O*NET hasn't rated 6 of the tasks, so they come last, in O*NET's own order. 2 of the 29 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 29 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #1 Gather information from physical or electronic sources
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #33 Compile records, documentation, or other data
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze environmental or geospatial data | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Gather information from physical or electronic sources | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Compile records, documentation, or other data | |||
| Collect environmental or biological samples | |||
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Set up equipment |
Show all 21 activities
| Research issues related to earth sciences | |||
| Assist scientists, scholars, or technical specialists with projects or research | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Record images with photographic or audiovisual equipment | |||
| Assess characteristics of land or property | |||
| Collect information about patients or clients | |||
| Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities | |||
| Direct scientific or technical activities | |||
| Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment | |||
| Collect samples of products or materials | |||
| Supervise personnel activities | |||
| Operate laboratory or field equipment | |||
| Direct construction or extraction activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report38%
- Data or a spreadsheet23%
- An analysis or summary14%
- A plan or strategy5%
- An app or website2%
How they worked with Claude
54% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 10,039 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 3 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 3%
- 4 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 5 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 2%
Where people moved in from
of 10,985 moves in
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 2 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 3%
- 3 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 2%
- 4 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 2%
- 5 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 2%
The resume data uses 2010 occupation codes. This occupation comes from “Geological and Petroleum Technicians”, which today also includes “Hydrologic Technicians”, so these figures cover it too. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 3% less than high school
- 16% high school
- 22% some college
- 11% associate's
- 31% bachelor's
- 11% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 7% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other life, physical, and social science technicians” · 3,263 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other life, physical, and social science technicians”
8 programs, such as Mining Technology/Technician, Petroleum Technology/Technician and Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other.
See all
- Mining Technology/Technician
- Petroleum Technology/Technician
- Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- Science Technologies/Technicians, General
- Chemical Process Technology
- Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 2 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (TEST ENGINE OPERATOR; TESTER (Petrol Refin)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/19-4043.00