Checked
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians earn a median $53,350 a year in the U.S., with 6,980 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $53,350 a year
- Employment
- 6,980
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +3.6%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 1,000
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $53,350 · $25.65 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $61,870 · $29.75 an hour (estimate error ±3.5%)
- 10th percentile
- $35,770 · $17.20 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $44,850 · $21.56 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $72,110 · $34.67 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $99,560 · $47.86 an hour
- Employment
- 6,980 (estimate error ±8.3%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 7,300
- Projected for 2035
- 7,600
- Change
- +300 (+3.6%)
- Openings each year
- 1,000
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- 2.7%
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $102,090 | 30 |
| 2 | Indiana | $79,290 | Not reported |
| 3 | Alaska | $76,090 | 70 |
| 4 | Nevada | $73,700 | 260 |
| 5 | California | $69,410 | 480 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $69,350 | 60 |
| 7 | Washington | $63,910 | Not reported |
| 8 | Nebraska | $63,160 | Not reported |
| 9 | Wyoming | $63,070 | 90 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $63,050 | 110 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,190 | $46,840 |
| California | 480 | $69,410 |
| Oklahoma | 410 | $46,890 |
| Florida | 300 | $49,980 |
| New York | 280 | $57,150 |
| Nevada | 260 | $73,700 |
| North Carolina | 250 | $48,090 |
| Pennsylvania | 240 | $47,380 |
| Louisiana | 160 | $59,120 |
| Michigan | 150 | $58,860 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $59,630 | 680 |
| 2 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $57,150 | 140 |
| 3 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $49,280 | 160 |
| 4 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,710 | 240 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | $47,510 | 200 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 680 | $59,630 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 240 | $47,710 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 200 | $47,510 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 160 | $49,280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 140 | $57,150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 80 | $43,440 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 80 | $47,920 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 80 | $82,350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 70 | $52,990 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 70 | $37,050 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 60 | $70,280 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 60 | $62,520 |
Visa filings for this occupation
Wages employers offered on Department of Labor filings
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)13 certified filingsMedian offered wage $74,838
- PERM green card (FY 2026 through Q3)4 certified filingsMedian offered wage $64,771
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay by state
Related occupations
- Agricultural Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Biological Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Hydrologic Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
Frequently asked questions
- How much do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make?
- The median wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in the U.S. is $53,350 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,850 and $72,110.
- Which state pays geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians the most?
- Maryland has the highest median wage for this occupation at $102,090 a year.
- What is the job outlook for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians?
- BLS projects employment to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,000 openings each year on average.
- What education do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians need?
- The typical entry-level education is: associate's degree.