Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Life, Physical, and Social Science · SOC 19-4043
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 19-4043 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 22.9%
- High · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 33/100
- Low friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $53,350
- H-1B offered wage $81,381; LCAs are filings.
- Projected openings
- —
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change +1.5%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- 8
- FY2025 certified LCAs; 138 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
Transition context
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
Best transitions from here
Explore all pathways→Lower AI-exposure roles that reuse your skills, ranked by a transition score (skills that transfer, safety gain, pay and retraining effort).
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
AI could do ~39% of this role but only ~22.9% is currently done with AI — a large capability-vs-adoption gap.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →Certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications naming this occupation, FY2016–FY2025. A descriptive high-skill labor-demand signal — employer filings, not visa approvals or individual outcomes. Note: one LCA can cover multiple worker positions.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Core Inspector, Environmental Field Services Technician, Environmental Sampling Technician, Geological E-Logger, Geological Technician, Geoscience Technician
Representative Tasks
- •Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- •Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
- •Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
- •Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
- •Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Analyze geological samples.
- •Collect samples for analysis or testing.
- •Record research or operational data.
- •Prepare maps.
- •Operate laboratory or field equipment.
Tools & Technologies
Related Occupations
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 22.9% | 9.7% |
| Outlook | Average | 37% Bright |
| Median Salary | $53,350 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 77/100 | N/A |