What They Do: Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources.
Work Environment: Geological and hydrologic technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most geological and hydrologic technicians work full time.
How to Become One: Geological and hydrologic technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor’s degree. Geological and hydrologic technicians also receive on-the-job training.
Salary: The median annual wage for geological technicians is $48,310. The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians is $62,280.
Job Outlook: Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geological and hydrologic technicians with similar occupations.
Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources, such as soil, natural gas, and water.
Geological and hydrologic technicians typically do the following:
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.
Geological technicians hold about 9,200 jobs. The largest employers of geological technicians are 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 hold about 3,800 jobs. The largest employers of geological and hydrologic technicians are 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.
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.
Get the education you need: Find schools for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians near you!
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.
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.
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.
Analytical skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians evaluate data and samples using a variety of techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.
Communication skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians explain their methods and findings through oral and written reports to scientists, engineers, managers, and other technicians.
Critical-thinking skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians must use their judgment when interpreting scientific data and determining what is relevant to their work.
Interpersonal skills. Geological and hydrologic technicians need to be able to work well with others as part of a team.
Physical stamina. To do fieldwork, geological and hydrologic technicians must be able to reach remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.
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.
The median annual wage for geological technicians is $48,310. 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 is $62,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $130,050.
The median annual wages for geological technicians in the top industries in which they work are 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 |
The median annual wages for hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they work are 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.
Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, 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.
Projected employment of geological and hydrologic technicians varies by occupation. 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.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Geological and hydrologic technicians | 13,000 | 13,500 | 4 | 500 |
| Geological technicians | 9,200 | 9,700 | 5 | 500 |
| Hydrologic technicians | 3,800 | 3,800 | 1 | 0 |
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
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.