Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| Mean (average) | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| 90th percentile | $99,560 | $47.86 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 35 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,670 | $29,270 | $49,000 | ||
| Alaska | $76,090 | $57,230 | $303,850 | 70 | 4.9 |
| Arizona | $50,160 | $39,730 | $78,910 | ||
| Arkansas | $47,250 | $39,300 | $64,290 | 30 | 0.58 |
| California | $69,410 | $45,300 | $164,670 | 480 | 0.59 |
| Colorado | $61,780 | $49,630 | $144,930 | 90 | 0.71 |
| Florida | $49,980 | $37,560 | $74,340 | 300 | 0.67 |
| Georgia | $34,710 | $34,710 | $104,150 | 30 | 0.14 |
| Idaho | $46,680 | $40,900 | $79,470 | 70 | 1.8 |
| Illinois | $53,280 | $39,810 | $75,230 | 80 | 0.29 |
| Indiana | $79,290 | $38,710 | $132,210 | ||
| Kansas | $52,430 | $42,380 | $80,680 | ||
| Kentucky | $49,840 | $42,980 | $77,210 | 60 | 0.68 |
| Louisiana | $59,120 | $46,350 | $119,800 | 160 | 1.79 |
| Maryland | $102,090 | $70,720 | $177,630 | 30 | 0.27 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | $51,660 | $98,140 | 40 | 0.23 |
| Michigan | $58,860 | $34,330 | $92,230 | 150 | 0.74 |
| Montana | $55,520 | $43,000 | $83,400 | 100 | 4.46 |
| Nebraska | $63,160 | $50,290 | $85,140 | ||
| Nevada | $73,700 | $48,880 | $94,670 | 260 | 3.79 |
| New Mexico | $59,520 | $28,540 | $81,370 | ||
| New York | $57,150 | $44,160 | $75,160 | 280 | 0.65 |
| North Carolina | $48,090 | $37,680 | $59,010 | 250 | 1.15 |
| North Dakota | $51,240 | $50,480 | $83,130 | 90 | 4.49 |
| Ohio | $48,890 | $37,440 | $107,440 | 130 | 0.53 |
| Oklahoma | $46,890 | $35,150 | $94,980 | 410 | 5.28 |
| Oregon | $55,090 | $47,880 | $75,120 | 70 | 0.74 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,380 | $32,200 | $66,770 | 240 | 0.87 |
| South Carolina | $53,160 | $43,910 | $73,960 | 90 | 0.82 |
| Tennessee | $63,050 | $42,760 | $76,110 | 110 | 0.75 |
| Texas | $46,840 | $29,790 | $104,420 | 2,190 | 3.47 |
| Virginia | $59,290 | $54,030 | $93,990 | ||
| Washington | $63,910 | $51,820 | $78,070 | ||
| West Virginia | $69,350 | $44,720 | $87,530 | 60 | 2.02 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | $44,070 | $103,860 | 90 | 6.83 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,000. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 2.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Mining Technology/Technician CIP 15.0901
- Petroleum Technology/Technician CIP 15.0903
- Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other CIP 15.0999
- Geology/Earth Science, General CIP 40.0601
- Science Technologies/Technicians, General CIP 41.0000
- Chemical Process Technology CIP 41.0303
- Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other CIP 41.0399
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other CIP 41.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- ESRI ArcGIS software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Clark Labs IDRISI Andes
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Database software
- Dynamic Graphics EarthVision
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
Transferable skills for career changers: Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Operations Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
Common job titles: Core Inspector, Environmental Field Services Technician, Environmental Sampling Technician, Geological E-Logger, Geological Technician, Geoscience Technician, Geotechnician, Materials Technician, Physical Science Technician, Soils Technician.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make?
The national median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians was $53,350 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $35,770 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $99,560. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians need?
BLS lists associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians to change +3.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Maryland ($102,090), Indiana ($79,290), Alaska ($76,090). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.