Geological and Petroleum Technician Career
Geological and petroleum technicians work to help scientists and engineers to explore and collect natural resources like minerals, oil, and natural gas.
If you choose to be a geological and petroleum technician, you may install and maintain laboratory and field equipment as well as gather samples like rock, mud, and soil for laboratory analysis.
You might conduct scientific tests on these samples to learn about their content and characteristics. Geological and petroleum technicians record data from tests and put together reports and databases that can be used by others.
Geological and Petroleum Technician Career Snapshot
Most geological and petroleum technicians work in support activities for mining companies or in oil and gas extraction. Some work with engineering service companies or testing laboratories. Some technicians work outside in remote locations conducting fieldwork for long periods of time. Others may work in offices where they organize and analyze data, write reports and create maps.
Further details on a career as a geological and petroleum technician are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the estimated yearly pay for geological and petroleum technicians.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree while 28% have a Master’s degree.
Geological/Petroleum Tech Education
Nearly a third of geological and petroleum technicians have bachelor’s degrees while another third has earned master’s degrees.
Geological/Petroleum Tech Job Duties
If you decide to be a geological and petroleum technician, you may be asked to prepare reports and maps that can be used by engineers and scientists to define geological characteristics of various locations that may have valuable natural resources. You may help monitor well exploration activities and collect data like well temperatures and pressures. Once drilling for resources takes place, you may document various investigations and compare actual productivity with drilling estimates.
Geological/Petroleum Tech Salaries
On average, geological and petroleum technicians earn $55,610 per year according to BSL.gov May 2015 reports. Those starting their careers may be making $24,840, and top earners can make upwards of $98,620 per year.
Geological/Petroleum Tech Job Outlook
The job outlook for geological and petroleum technicians is expected to grow 12 percent between 2014 to 2024. There is a strong demand for natural gas that is expected to increase, fueling geological exploration and extraction in the future. Some technicians will be needed to manage and monitor ongoing production processes as exploration efforts continue. The growing number of people and industrialized countries will also contribute to the increase for natural resources and their exploration.
Geological and Petroleum Technician Skills & Traits
| Geological and Petroleum Tech Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Geological and Petroleum Techs: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Reading Comprehension • Active Listening • Critical Thinking • Speaking • Writing | • Written Comprehension • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression • Written Expression • Information Ordering | • Geological compasses • Height gauges • Electronic digital levels • Soil core sampling apparatus • Theodolites | • Getting Information • Working with Computers • Documenting Information • Using Relevant Knowledge • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events |
Related Careers
Civil Engineering Technicians
Associate’s Degree
Geoscientists
Bachelor’s Degree
Surveying & Mapping Technicians
High School Diploma or Equivalent
