Geological Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Geological technicians assist geologists in their studies of the earths physical makeup and history. This includes the exploration of a wide variety of phenomena, such as mountain uplifting, rock formations, mineral deposition, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Modern geology is particularly concerned with the exploration for mineral and petroleum deposits in the earth and with minimizing the effects of human-made structures on the environment.
Petroleum technicians are specialized geological technicians who measu...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Geological technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $34,160 to more than $108,750 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The median salary for these technicians was $52,440. Petroleum technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $37,690 to more than $91,610 in May 2023. The median salary for these technicians was $55,890.
Salaries for geolog...
Work Environment
Geological technicians frequently work in the field where drilling or testing is occurring. In these situations, aides may spend considerable time outdoors in primitive or rugged conditions. Sometimes this involves camping for several days in a remote location.
Geological technicians who are employed in a laboratory or office generally work regular 40-hour weeks in pleasant conditions. T...
Outlook
In recent years, employment opportunities have been strong for geological technicians due to increasing demand for natural gas and the growing use of fracking technology (which created a large number of new jobs in the United States). The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for geological technicians will grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2033.
In th...
