Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
Career, Salary and Education Information
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, except hydrologic technicians was $53,350 in May 2025. The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians was $64,790 in May 2025.
Job Outlook: Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geological and hydrologic technicians with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a geological or hydrologic technician with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Geological Technician Jobs
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Workday Project Manager
- Dexian
- Columbus,OH
Job Title: Workday Project Manager Duration: 15 months (possible extension) Location: 100% Remote Pay Rate: $55.00 - $56.00 hourly on W2 JOB...
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Field Service Technician
- Ecolab
- Columbus,OH
Want to build a brighter, bolder future and cultivate your career?Join Ecolab's team and help create a world in which we all thrive. Our Institutional team enhances customer success in sectors like hospitality,...
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Service Technician
- RecruitMilitary Placement Services
- Gahanna,OH
Our top-quality laser, optical and geospatial company is seeking a mission-driven, hands-on Equipment Repair Technician with strong mechanical and electrical skills to join their team in Akron, Ohio. Ideal for transitioning military personnel, this...
Top 3 Petroleum Technician Jobs
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Technical Program Manager
- Eliassen Group
- Columbus,OH
Description Remote Our client seeks an experienced Technical Program Manager for the Enterprise Business Systems team. The role leads complex, cross-functional programs focused on business applications and FinTech. The...
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Technical Business Analyst
- Atlas Search
- Columbus,OH
Technical Business Analyst, Fundraising (Long-Term Consulting) · New York, NY (Dallas, TX possible) · $70–$85/hour · Hybrid Our client, an alternative investment manager, is hiring a Technical Business...
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Workday Project Manager
- Dexian
- Columbus,OH
Job Title: Workday Project Manager Duration: 15 months (possible extension) Location: 100% Remote Pay Rate: $55.00 - $56.00 hourly on W2 JOB...
What Geological and Hydrologic Technicians Do[About this section] [To Top]
Geological and hydrologic technicians support scientists and engineers in exploring, extracting, and monitoring natural resources, such as soil, natural gas, and water.
Duties of Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
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 for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
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.
Geological and Hydrologic Technician 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.
How to Become a Geological or Hydrologic Technician[About this section] [To Top]
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.
Education for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
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 for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
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.
Important Qualities for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians
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 Technician 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.
Geological and Hydrologic Technician Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
Salary and job outlook data updated October 2026 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 wages, 2025-35 employment projections).
The median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians was $53,350 in May 2025. 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 $35,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $99,560.
The median annual wage for hydrologic technicians was $64,790 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,480.
In May 2025, the median annual wages for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Scientific research and development services | $61,510 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $59,100 |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | $53,480 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $50,290 |
In May 2025, the median annual wages for hydrologic technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | $102,150 |
| Federal government | $71,780 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $64,880 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | $61,820 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $52,870 |
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 for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Overall employment of geological and hydrologic technicians is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,400 openings for geological and hydrologic technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. However, the use of drones and other technology in mining exploration may replace the need for some geological technicians.
Many hydrologic technicians are employed by the federal government and therefore, future employment will depend in large part on the amount of federal funding available for related activities and research.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2025 | Projected Employment, 2035 | Change, 2025-35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Geological and hydrologic technicians | 10,300 | 10,500 | 2 | 200 |
| Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians | 7,300 | 7,600 | 4 | 300 |
| Hydrologic technicians | 3,000 | 3,000 | -1 | 0 |
More Geological and Hydrologic Technician Information[About this section] [To Top]
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.