Life, Physical, and Social Science · Holland code RCI
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.
Also called: Geological Technician, Geotechnician, Materials Technician, Physical Science Technician, Core Inspector, Environmental Field Services Technician, Environmental Sampling Technician, Geological E-Logger.
O*NET 19-4043.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $53,350
- Middle half earn $44,850 to $72,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- 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.
- Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
- Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data.
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
- Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.5 / 5
- Writing3.3 / 5
- Monitoring3.3 / 5
- Active Listening3.1 / 5
- Speaking3.0 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics3.5 / 5
- Engineering and Technology3.5 / 5
- Mathematics3.5 / 5
- English Language3.5 / 5
- Chemistry3.2 / 5
- Physics3.1 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic77
- Investigative70
- Artistic5
- Social8
- Enterprising2
- Conventional72
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- geologist · DE Geologe/Geologin · FR géologue
- environmental geologist · DE Umweltgeologe/Umweltgeologin · FR géologue environnementaliste
- exploration geologist · DE Explorationsgeologe/Explorationsgeologin · FR géologue prospecteur/géologue prospectrice
- geochemist · DE Geochemiker/Geochemikerin · FR géochimiste
- mine geologist · DE Geologe im Bereich Montangeologie/Geologin im Bereich Montangeologie · FR géologue minier/géologue minière
- geophysicist · DE Geophysiker/Geophysikerin · FR géophysicien/géophysicienne
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Civil engineers (2121)94,100 employed
- Laboratory technicians (3111)51,100 employed
- Physical scientists (2114)31,600 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €61,714 |
| Germany | €59,529 |
| Ireland | €56,877 |
| Austria | €55,374 |
| Netherlands | €53,595 |
| Sweden | €43,567 |
| France | €41,515 |
| Spain | €35,735 |
| Italy | €33,649 |
| Portugal | €26,072 |
| Poland | €14,380 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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