Geological and Hydrologic Technicians

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 resources

Geological 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 technicians, except hydrologic technicians held about 9,200 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians were as follows:

Architectural, engineering, and related services 45%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 18
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services                        10
Transportation and warehousing 7
Management of companies and enterprises 5

Hydrologic technicians held about 3,800 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of hydrologic technicians were as follows:

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 13%
Professional, scientific, and technical services 8
Chemical manufacturing 7
Local government, excluding education and hospitals                            7
Machinery manufacturing 2

Geological 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.

Education and Training

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.

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.

Personality and Interests

Geological and petroleum technicians typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.

If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a geological and petroleum technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Geological and petroleum technicians should also possess the following specific qualities:

Analytical skills. Geological and petroleum technicians examine data, using a variety of complex techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.

Communication skills. Geological and petroleum technicians explain their methods and findings through oral and written reports to scientists, engineers, managers, and other technicians. Therefore, they must speak and write clearly.

Critical-thinking skills. Geological and petroleum technicians must use their best judgment when interpreting scientific data and determining what is relevant to their work.

Interpersonal skills. Geological and petroleum technicians need to be able to work well with others and as part of a team.

Physical stamina. To do fieldwork, geological and petroleum technicians need to be in good physical shape to hike to remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.

Pay

The median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians was $48,310 in May 2021. 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 $30,590, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,650.

The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians was $62,280 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $130,050.

In May 2021, 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 $95,790
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 60,770
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services                    49,910
Transportation and warehousing 47,180
Architectural, engineering, and related services 46,910

In May 2021, the median annual wages for hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Chemical manufacturing $130,060
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 79,510
Local government, excluding education and hospitals                      59,270
Machinery manufacturing 46,110
Professional, scientific, and technical services 45,540

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.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 1,400 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.

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

 

 

FAQ

Where does this information come from?

The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database.

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