What They Do: Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources.
Work Environment: Geological and petroleum technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time.
How to Become One: Geological and petroleum 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 petroleum technicians also receive on-the-job training.
Salary: The median annual wage for geological and petroleum technicians is $51,130.
Job Outlook: Employment of geological and petroleum technicians is projected to grow 5 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for natural gas is expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction in the future.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geological and petroleum technicians with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a geological or petroleum 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:
Our ideal candidate will have some experience working core databases and have wireline experience Requirements * 3+ years of experience as a geological technician , experience using Petra preferred
UDR is seeking qualified candidates for the Geological Technician opportunity for our customer in Carlsbad, NM to support the WIPP Facility. Geo- Technician I Education: Bachelor of Science in Geology ...
Gila Geological is looking for experienced Survey Technicians to perform a wide variety of surveying services including but not limited to construction staking, property boundaries, topographic ...
Mobile Petroleum Technician (Full Time) Location: (Olive Branch, MS) Starting Salary: $30/hour +based on experience This position is eligible for a $4,000 sign-on bonus. Parman is an employee-owned ...
Gezella Petroleum Equipment has a long history of delivering quality products and services nationally. Dedicated to building and supplying customers with high quality service station equipment. Job ...
PumpTex, Inc in Central Texas is seeking to hire a full-time Petroleum Service Technician to provide excellent customer service, repairs, and maintenance to the gas stations they serve. This position ...
Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as oil and natural gas.
Geological and petroleum technicians typically do the following:
Geological and petroleum technicians tend to specialize either in fieldwork and laboratory work, or in office work analyzing data. However, many technicians have duties that overlap into multiple areas.
In the field, geological and petroleum technicians use sophisticated equipment, such as seismic instruments, to gather geological data. They also use tools to collect samples for scientific analysis. In laboratories, these technicians analyze the samples for evidence of hydrocarbons, useful metals, or precious gemstones.
Geological and petroleum technicians use computers to analyze data from samples collected in the field and from previous research. The results of their analyses may explain a new site's potential for further exploration and development or may focus on monitoring the current and future productivity of an existing site.
Geological and petroleum technicians work on geological prospecting and surveying teams under the supervision of scientists and engineers, who evaluate the work for accuracy and make final decisions about current and potential production sites. Geologic and petroleum technicians might work with scientists and technicians in other fields as well. For example, geological and petroleum technicians might work with environmental scientists and technicians to monitor the environmental impact of drilling and other activities.
Geological and petroleum technicians hold about 19,000 jobs. The largest employers of geological and petroleum technicians are as follows:
| Support activities for mining | 17% |
| Oil and gas extraction | 14% |
| Engineering services | 13% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 5% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 2% |
Geological and petroleum technicians spend their time in the field and in laboratories, or analyzing data in offices. Fieldwork requires technicians to work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, where they are exposed to all types of weather. In addition, technicians may need to stay on location in the field for days or weeks to collect data and monitor equipment. Geological and petroleum technicians who work in offices spend most of their time working on computers—organizing and analyzing data, writing reports, and producing maps.
Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time. Technicians generally work a standard schedule in laboratories and offices, but hours spent in the field may be long or irregular.
Get the education you need: Find schools for Geological and Petroleum Technicians near you!
Geological and petroleum technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor's degree. Geological and petroleum technicians also receive on-the-job training.
Although some entry-level positions require only a high school diploma, most employers prefer applicants who have at least an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Geological and petroleum technician jobs that are data intensive or otherwise highly technical may require a bachelor's degree.
Many community colleges and technical institutes offer programs in the geosciences, petroleum, mining, or a related technology, such as geographic information systems (GISs). Community colleges offer associate's degree programs designed to provide an easy transition to bachelor's degree programs at colleges and universities; such programs can be useful for future career advancement.
Regardless of the program, most students take classes in geology, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and physics. Many schools also offer internships and cooperative-education programs that help students gain experience while attending school.
Analytical skills. Geological and petroleum technicians examine data and samples, using a variety of complex techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.
Communication skills. Geological and petroleum technicians explain their methods and findings through oral and written reports to scientists, engineers, managers, and other technicians.
Critical-thinking skills. Geological and petroleum technicians must use their best judgment when interpreting scientific data and determining what is relevant to their work.
Interpersonal skills. Geological and petroleum technicians need to be able to work well with others and as part of a team.
Physical stamina. To do fieldwork, geological and petroleum technicians need to be in good physical shape in order to hike to remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.
Most geological and petroleum technicians receive on-the-job training under the supervision of technicians who have more experience. During training, new technicians gain hands-on experience using field and laboratory equipment, as well as computer programs such as modeling and mapping software. The length of training can vary with the technician's previous experience and education and with the specifics of the job.
The median annual wage for geological and petroleum technicians is $51,130. 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 $28,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,660.
The median annual wages for geological and petroleum technicians in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Management of companies and enterprises | $94,510 |
| Oil and gas extraction | $72,440 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $55,040 |
| Engineering services | $45,450 |
| Support activities for mining | $41,050 |
Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time. Technicians generally work a standard schedule while in laboratories and offices, but hours spent in the field may be long or irregular.
Employment of geological and petroleum technicians is projected to grow 5 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 1,000 new jobs over the decade. Demand for petroleum and natural gas, along with exploration of resources such as metals and minerals, is expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction in the future.
Job opportunities will stem from growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation permanently over the projection period. The best job prospects will be for those candidates who have had hands-on training and who have good technical and analytical skills, which can be acquired through internships, co-op programs, and postsecondary education.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2019 | Projected Employment, 2029 | Change, 2019-29 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Geological and petroleum technicians | 19,000 | 20,100 | 5 | 1,000 |
For more information about careers in geology, visit
American Geosciences Institute
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.