SalaryMap USA

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary in the United States

The median annual wage for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in the U.S. is $53,350 ($25.65 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.

Median annual wage
$53,350
Mean annual wage
$61,870
Median hourly wage
$25.65
Employment
6,980

6,980 employed

Wage percentiles

U.S. wage distribution for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (OEWS May 2025).
PercentileAnnual wageHourly wage
10th percentile$35,770$17.20
25th percentile$44,850$21.56
Median (50th)$53,350$25.65
75th percentile$72,110$34.67
90th percentile$99,560$47.86

Highest-paying states for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians

StateMedian annual wageEmployment
Maryland$102,09030
Indiana$79,290
Alaska$76,09070
Nevada$73,700260
California$69,410480
West Virginia$69,35060
Washington$63,910
Nebraska$63,160
Wyoming$63,07090
Tennessee$63,050110

Lowest-paying states

  • Georgia: $34,710 median annual wage
  • Alabama: $35,670 median annual wage
  • Idaho: $46,680 median annual wage
  • Texas: $46,840 median annual wage
  • Oklahoma: $46,890 median annual wage

About this occupation

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.

Typical tasks

  • Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
  • Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
  • Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment.
  • Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation.
  • Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
  • Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations.

Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Associate's degree

Education levelShare of workers
Less than high school diploma6.7%
High school diploma or equivalent15.8%
Some college, no degree23.9%
Associate's degree8.9%
Bachelor's degree37.7%
Master's degree5.7%
Doctoral or professional degree1.2%

CareerOneStopOccupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related occupations

About this data

  • Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
  • Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
  • CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.

Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.