Occupation salary profile

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

SOC 19-4043 BLS OEWS May 2025 H-1B LCAs, last 12 months

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.

National median · BLS
$53,350
▲ +10.25% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
$77,910
▼ -3.02% YoY · 12 LCAs
Average salary · BLS
$61,870
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
6,980
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation; H-1B covers 12 certified Labor Condition Applications filed by sponsoring employers in the last 12 months.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS) H-1B sponsored
10th — entry pay$35,770$65,241
25th$44,850$70,852
Median (50th)$53,350$77,910
75th$72,110$85,388
90th — top pay$99,560$96,270
H-1B sponsors pay a median of $77,910 for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians — 46% above the BLS national median of $53,350.

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

BLS projects employment of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
7,300 → 7,600
+300 jobs
Projected change
+3.6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
2.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 4)
Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need an associate's degree →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

H-1B sponsored pay

Pay by H-1B wage level

Employers assign every H-1B filing a Department of Labor prevailing-wage level, from Level I (entry) to Level IV (fully competent). Pay rises steeply with level.

H-1B median $77,910
Change vs prior year -3.02%
After inflation (CPI-U) -5.96%
Skills & tools

Skills needed for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension3.8
  • Critical Thinking3.5
  • Monitoring3.3
  • Time Management3.3
  • Writing3.3
  • Active Listening3.1
  • Complex Problem Solving3.1
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  • Coordination3.0
  • Operations Monitoring3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Computers and Electronics3.5
  • Engineering and Technology3.5
  • Mathematics3.5
  • English Language3.5
  • Chemistry3.2
  • Physics3.1
  • Geography3.1
  • Customer and Personal Service2.6
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookAdobe IllustratorAutodesk AutoCADESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareClark Labs IDRISI AndesCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteDatabase softwareDynamic Graphics EarthVisionGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGeographic resources analysis support system GRASSGlobal positioning system GPS software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians do

  • Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
  • Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
  • Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
  • Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
  • Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
  • Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
  • Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
  • Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
Also called
Geological TechnicianGeotechnicianMaterials TechnicianPhysical Science TechnicianCore InspectorEnvironmental Field Services TechnicianEnvironmental Sampling TechnicianGeological E-LoggerGeoscience TechnicianSoils Technician
More job titles for this occupation (80)
Acid TesterChalk TesterConstruction Material TechnicianConstruction Materials Field Technician (Construction Materials Field Tech)Construction Materials Technician (Construction Materials Tech)Construction Materials Testing Technician (Construction Materials Testing Tech)Crude TesterDirectional Drill LocatorDirectional Drill OperatorDrilling Fluids SpecialistEchometer EngineerElectric Well Logging OperatorElectrical LoggerElectrical Logging OperatorElectrical Prospecting ObserverElectrical Prospecting OperatorElectrolog OperatorElectron Microprobe OperatorEnvironmental EngineerExtractions TechnologistField Construction Materials TechnicianField Construction Materials Testing TechnicianField EvaluatorField Geotechnical TechnicianField ObserverField ScoutField TesterGas AnalystGas ProverGas TesterGasoline TesterGeological AideGeological Sample TesterGeologistGeology AssociateGeology TechnicianGeophysical ComputerGeophysical E-LoggerGeophysical ProspectorGeophysical Support SpecialistGeoscience SpecialistGeospatial TechnicianGeotechnical Field Technician (Geotechnical Field Tech)Geotechnical Properties TechnicianGeotechnical TechnicianGravity Meter OperatorGravity Prospecting ObserverGravity Prospecting OperatorLaboratory AssistantLaboratory TechnicianLaboratory WorkerLine LocatorLocaterLocater OperatorLocater TechnicianLocatorLocator SpecialistMagnetic LocaterMagnetic ObserverMagnetic Prospecting OperatorMagnetometer OperatorMaterial Handling TechnicianMaterial TechnicianMaterials Management TechnicianMaterials Testing TechnicianMeter OperatorMineral TechnologistMining TechnicianMud Analysis OperatorMud Analysis Well-Logging OperatorMud LoggerObserverOil AnalystOil and Gas Exploration TechnicianOil Field TesterOil Laboratory AnalystOil Prospecting ObserverOil ScoutOil TesterOil Well Directional Surveyor

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.