# Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians
- SOC code: 19-4043.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $53,350 (10th percentile $35,770, 90th percentile $99,560)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.6%
- Openings a year: 1,000
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 77 |
| Investigative (I) | 70 |
| Artistic (A) | 5 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 2 |
| Conventional (C) | 72 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 82/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Getting Information (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Processing Information (importance 69/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 66/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 66/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 65/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 65/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 64/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Time Management, Writing, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Operations Monitoring

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, English Language, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Customer and Personal Service, Mechanical, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Acid Tester, Chalk Tester, Construction Material Technician, Construction Materials Field Technician (Construction Materials Field Tech), Construction Materials Technician (Construction Materials Tech), Construction Materials Testing Technician (Construction Materials Testing Tech), Core Inspector, Crude Tester, Directional Drill Locator, Directional Drill Operator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4006) (CIP 4006, 593 colleges)
- [Physical Science Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4103) (CIP 4103, 97 colleges)
- [Science Technologies/Technicians, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4199) (CIP 4199, 90 colleges)
- [Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1509) (CIP 1509, 47 colleges)
- Science Technologies/Technicians, General (CIP 4100, 28 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Alaska Anchorage](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-alaska-anchorage-2863) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | not reported | $90,046 | not reported |
| [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus-main-campus-3007) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $85,207 | $25,142 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $46,634 | $83,481 | $13,000 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $79,143 | not reported |
| [Arizona State University Campus Immersion](https://www.collegesref.com/college/arizona-state-university-campus-immersion-101) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $68,500 | $76,495 | $19,683 |
| [Arizona State University Digital Immersion](https://www.collegesref.com/college/arizona-state-university-digital-immersion-102) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $68,500 | $76,495 | $19,683 |
| [Campbell University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/campbell-university-388) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $66,256 | $75,425 | $20,827 |
| [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-wisconsin-stout-3091) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $36,352 | $74,697 | $26,000 |

## Related careers

- [Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydrologic-technicians): $64,790 median pay
- [Surveying and Mapping Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surveying-and-mapping-technicians): $54,240 median pay
- [Geodetic Surveyors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geodetic-surveyors): $75,440 median pay
- [Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians-including-health): $55,090 median pay
- [Calibration Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/calibration-technologists-and-technicians): $67,820 median pay
- [Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $59,920 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.