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.
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geography
- Customer and Personal Service
What the work involves
- Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits.
- Collect data on underground areas, such as reservoirs, that could be used in carbon sequestration operations.
- Collect geological data from potential geothermal energy plant sites.
- Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites.
- Conduct geophysical surveys of potential sites for wind farms or solar installations to determine their suitability.
- Evaluate and interpret seismic data with the aid of computers.
- 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.
Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Realistic, Conventional, Investigative.
Qualifications and licensing
- Preparation level
- O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Licensing
- Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.
Check before planning
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians: no education distribution in the dataset.
- Licensing for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Limits
- Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
- Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0
Work environment
How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).
Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.
| Condition | Level | Compared with other occupations | Most common answer (O*NET survey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact with others | Very low | Lower on contact with others than 93% of occupations compared | — |
| Dealing with the public | Low | Lower on dealing with the public than 76% of occupations compared | — |
| Teamwork | Low | Lower on teamwork than 71% of occupations compared | — |
| Freedom to make decisions | Moderate | Higher on freedom to make decisions than 54% of occupations compared | — |
| Time pressure | Low | Lower on time pressure than 74% of occupations compared | — |
| Conflict situations | Low | Lower on conflict situations than 78% of occupations compared | — |
| Dealing with unpleasant or angry people | Very low | Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 80% of occupations compared | — |
| Consequence of error | Moderate | Higher on consequence of error than 53% of occupations compared | — |
Work-pressure profile
- Time pressure: low
- Conflict situations: low
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
- Consequence of error: moderate
Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.
Is this career right for me? Find jobs with conditions you prefer
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O*NET-SOC 19-4043.00 · SOC 19-4043 (exact, high confidence) · dataset 2026.10.8