Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians, work in a specialized science-focused career with a national employment level of 10,000 positions. The role typically requires an associate’s degree, making it accessible to those who want to enter a scientific field without completing a four-year program. The national median annual salary of $48,390 reflects solid earning potential, with higher pay possible in certain states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 1.5% and about 1,000 annual openings suggest an ongoing need for new entrants through growth and turnover. Success in this career draws on strengths in science, computers and information technology, mathematics, mechanical aptitude, and strong attention to detail. Skills such as critical and analytical thinking, fine motor abilities, writing and reading, project management, and physical strength and stamina also contribute to performance. For students and career changers interested in applied science and technical work, this occupation offers a defined pathway and multiple geographic markets to consider.
The national median annual salary for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians, is $48,390, but pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the top states, median salaries range from $57,150 in New York to $102,090 in Maryland. California and Colorado also show higher pay levels, at $69,410 and $61,780 respectively, while Massachusetts has a median salary of $61,630. Metro-level data highlight additional differences: the New York–Newark–Jersey City area reports a median salary of $57,150, Denver–Aurora–Centennial comes in at $70,280, and San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad stands out with $82,350. Other metros like Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington and Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington show median pay of $51,080 and $47,710. Together, these figures indicate that earnings can be significantly higher than the national median in certain states and metro areas, giving job seekers reason to compare regional salary levels when planning their careers.
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians, have national employment of 10,000, with projected employment growth of 1.5%. This growth rate, combined with about 1,000 annual openings, suggests a steady flow of opportunities from both new positions and replacement needs. The consistent 1.5% projected growth rate appears across several highlighted states and metro areas, indicating relatively uniform expectations for expansion in those locations. While the total size of the occupation is moderate, the volume of annual openings relative to national employment provides ongoing entry points for new technicians and advancement opportunities for those already in the field. For individuals considering this career, the data support the idea of a stable, technically oriented occupation where demand is expected to continue rather than contract. Job seekers can use the combination of national openings and regional growth indicators to target markets that align with their geographic preferences and salary goals.
Location choices can significantly influence the experience of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Maryland all rank highly by opportunity score, but they differ in pay and employment size. California combines a median salary of $69,410 with 480 employed technicians and an opportunity score of 67.38, while Maryland shows the highest listed median salary at $102,090 but a smaller employment base of 30 and an opportunity score of 52.88. New York, with 280 employed and a median salary of $57,150, offers a relatively large market among the highlighted states. Metro data provide an even more detailed picture. The New York–Newark–Jersey City area has the highest opportunity score at 77.27, with a median salary of $57,150 and employment of 140. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad shows a notably high median salary of $82,350 with 80 employed, while Denver–Aurora–Centennial reports $70,280 and 60 employed. Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington and Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington offer additional options, with moderate salaries and employment levels. These differences give candidates a range of trade-offs between pay, opportunity score, and job concentration across states and metros.
The typical education for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians, is an associate’s degree. This makes the field accessible to individuals seeking a technical, science-oriented career without completing a bachelor’s program. However, the education is only part of the preparation. Success in this occupation is strongly linked to a defined set of skills. Key strengths include science, computers and information technology, mathematics, and mechanical aptitude, reflecting the technical nature of the work. Being detail oriented, along with strong writing and reading abilities, supports accuracy and documentation. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina are also important, indicating that the role can involve hands-on and physically demanding tasks. Critical and analytical thinking and project management round out the profile, helping technicians plan, organize, and interpret technical activities. Students and career changers considering this path should look for associate’s programs and experiences that build this combination of scientific, technical, and practical skills.
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