Geological and Petroleum Technicians

Summary

Geological and petroleum technicians often work outdoors gathering data and collecting samples of rocks, soils, and other materials for further testing.

Quick Facts: Geological and Petroleum Technicians
2010 Median Pay	$54,020 per year $25.97 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Associate’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	14,400
Job Outlook, 2010-20	15% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	2,100

What Geological and Petroleum Technicians Do

Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.

Work Environment

Geological and petroleum technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time.

How to Become a Geological or Petroleum Technician

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 technicians also receive on-the-job training.

Pay

The median annual wage of geological and petroleum technicians was $54,020 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of geological and petroleum technicians is expected to increase by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. High prices and growing demand for natural resources, especially oil and natural gas, are expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction in the future.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of geological and petroleum technicians with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about geological and petroleum technicians by contacting these additional resources.

What Geological and Petroleum Technicians Do About this section

Geological and petroleum technicians help identify locations that are suitable for oil and gas wells.

Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.

Duties

Geological and petroleum technicians typically do the following:

• Compile information from reports, computer databases, and other sources for use in looking for natural resources (geological prospecting)
• Install and maintain laboratory and field equipment
• Gather geological data and samples such as rocks and soils in the field and prepare samples for laboratory analysis
• Conduct scientific tests on samples to determine their content and characteristics
• Prepare notes, sketches, and maps to display geological characteristics of the land
• Monitor well exploration and drilling activities
• Prepare reports and presentations that document their investigation and findings

In the field, geological and petroleum technicians use sophisticated equipment such as seismic instruments and gravity-measuring devices to gather geological data. They also use handtools to collect samples of rocks and other materials for scientific analysis.

Geological and petroleum technicians use computers and laboratory equipment to analyze data and samples collected in the field. They also use mapping software and geographic information systems (GIS) to catalog and plot data. With the results of their analysis, they can evaluate a site to gauge its potential for further exploration and development or they can monitor quality at an existing production site.

Geological and petroleum technicians often work on geological prospecting and surveying teams under the supervision of scientists and engineers who evaluate their work for accuracy and determine whether the site should be further explored. In addition, they might work with scientists and technicians in other fields. For example, geological and petroleum technicians might work with environmental scientists and technicians to monitor the environmental impact of drilling and other activities.

Work Environment About this section

Fieldwork requires technicians to work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations, where they are exposed to all types of weather.

About 41 percent of all technicians were employed in Texas, because of its prominence in the oil and gas industry.

Geological and petroleum technicians spend most of their time collecting data in the field or analyzing data at offices and laboratories. 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. 

Work Schedules

Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time. Technicians generally work a routine schedule in laboratories and offices, but hours spent in the field may be long and irregular.

How to Become a Geological or Petroleum Technician About this section

Geological and petroleum technicians use laboratory equipment such as microscopes to analyze samples collected in the field.

Most employers prefer applicants who have at least an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or science-related technology. Geological and petroleum technicians also receive on-the-job training.

Education

Postsecondary training is needed for most geological and petroleum technician jobs, although some entry-level positions require a high school diploma. However, 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. 

Many community colleges and technical institutes offer programs in geosciences, petroleum, mining, or a related technology such as geographic information systems (GIS). 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.

Technical institutes typically offer 1-year certificate programs and 2-year associate’s degree programs. Technical institutes usually offer technical training, but they provide less theory and fewer general education courses than community colleges offer.

Regardless of the degree 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. With this experience, it may be easier to get a job.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Geological and petroleum technicians examine data, using a variety of complex techniques, including laboratory experimentation and computer modeling.

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.

Stamina. To do fieldwork, geological and petroleum technicians need to be in good physical shape to hike to remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment.

Speaking skills. Technicians need to be able to explain their methods and findings to others.

Writing skills. Technicians document their work in reports that scientists, engineers, and other technicians use, so they need to write their methods and results clearly.

Training

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 varies with the technician’s previous experience and education. Most training programs last from a few months to 2 years.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of geological and petroleum technicians was $54,020 in May 2010. 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 $29,950, and the top 10 percent earned more than $99,860.

The median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of technicians in May 2010 were as follows:

Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time. Technicians generally work a routine schedule while in laboratories and offices, but hours spent in the field may be long or irregular.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of geological and petroleum technicians is expected to grow by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. High prices and growing demand for natural resources—especially oil and natural gas—are expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction in the future. Historically, when oil and natural gas prices are low, companies limit exploration and hire fewer technicians. When prices are high, however, companies explore and extract more. If oil prices remain high over the long run, the demand for geological and petroleum technicians will remain high as well.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about careers in geology, visit

American Geological Institute

For more information about careers in oil and gas exploration, visit

American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Society of Petroleum Engineers