Jobs / Science and research / 19-4043.00
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
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.
- US jobs
- 6,980
- Median wage
- $53,350 a year
- Job family
- Science and research
Can agents do the work of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians?
We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Science and research:
- Task levelPartialThin evidence. CORE-Bench asks agents to reproduce the results of published papers in computer science, social science, and medicine from the authors' code and data. Princeton's HAL team declared it solved in December 2025: Claude Code with Claude Opus 4.5 scored 95.5% after manual regrading. No benchmark in our collection tests new experiments or lab work.
- Project levelNot yetThin evidence. On PaperBench, where agents replicate machine learning papers from scratch, the best official result is 26.0% (o1, April 2025). On a small subset, ML PhDs scored 41.4% against o1's 26.6%. No newer official results exist, and no benchmark tests research projects in other sciences.
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.
- 95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025Solved
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
- Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
- Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
- Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
- Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
- Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
- Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.
- Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)
Core Inspector · Environmental Field Services Technician · Environmental Sampling Technician · Geological E-Logger · Geological Technician · Geoscience Technician · Geotechnician · Materials Technician · Physical Science Technician · Soils Technician · Acid Tester · Chalk Tester · Construction Material Technician · Construction Materials Field Technician (Construction Materials Field Tech) · Construction Materials Technician (Construction Materials Tech) · Construction Materials Testing Technician (Construction Materials Testing Tech) · Crude Tester · Directional Drill Locator · Directional Drill Operator · Drilling Fluids Specialist · Echometer Engineer · Electric Well Logging Operator · Electrical Logger · Electrical Logging Operator · Electrical Prospecting Observer · Electrical Prospecting Operator · Electrolog Operator · Electron Microprobe Operator · Environmental Engineer · Extractions Technologist · Field Construction Materials Technician · Field Construction Materials Testing Technician · Field Evaluator · Field Geotechnical Technician · Field Observer · Field Scout · Field Tester · Gas Analyst · Gas Prover · Gas Tester · Gasoline Tester · Geological Aide · Geological Sample Tester · Geologist · Geology Associate · Geology Technician · Geophysical Computer · Geophysical E-Logger · Geophysical Prospector · Geophysical Support Specialist · Geoscience Specialist · Geospatial Technician · Geotechnical Field Technician (Geotechnical Field Tech) · Geotechnical Properties Technician · Geotechnical Technician · Gravity Meter Operator · Gravity Prospecting Observer · Gravity Prospecting Operator · Laboratory Assistant · Laboratory Technician · Laboratory Worker · Line Locator · Locater · Locater Operator · Locater Technician · Locator · Locator Specialist · Magnetic Locater · Magnetic Observer · Magnetic Prospecting Operator · Magnetometer Operator · Material Handling Technician · Material Technician · Materials Management Technician · Materials Testing Technician · Meter Operator · Mineral Technologist · Mining Technician · Mud Analysis Operator · Mud Analysis Well-Logging Operator