How much does a geological technician make?
The median geological technician in the United States earns $53,350 per year, about $25.65 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all geological technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4043.
Geological technician salary range
Pay for geological technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,770 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $99,560. The average (mean) wage of $61,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,770 | $17.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $44,850 | $21.56 | |
| Median (50th) | $53,350 | $25.65 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $72,110 | $34.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $99,560 | $47.86 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (SOC 19-4043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Geological technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Geological technicians earn the most in Maryland at $102,090 a year, and the least in Georgia at $34,710. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $102,090 | 30 |
| Indiana | $79,290 | N/A |
| Alaska | $76,090 | 70 |
| Nevada | $73,700 | 260 |
| California | $69,410 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $69,350 | 60 |
| Washington | $63,910 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $63,160 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $63,070 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $63,050 | 110 |
| Colorado | $61,780 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $61,630 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $59,520 | N/A |
| Virginia | $59,290 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $59,120 | 160 |
| Michigan | $58,860 | 150 |
| New York | $57,150 | 280 |
| Montana | $55,520 | 100 |
| Oregon | $55,090 | 70 |
| Illinois | $53,280 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $53,160 | 90 |
| Kansas | $52,430 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $51,240 | 90 |
| Arizona | $50,160 | N/A |
| Florida | $49,980 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $49,840 | 60 |
| Ohio | $48,890 | 130 |
| North Carolina | $48,090 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,380 | 240 |
| Arkansas | $47,250 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $46,890 | 410 |
| Texas | $46,840 | 2,190 |
| Idaho | $46,680 | 70 |
| Alabama | $35,670 | N/A |
| Georgia | $34,710 | 30 |
State median wages for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (SOC 19-4043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for geological technicians
The BLS projects employment of geological technicians to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 7,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for geological technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a geological technician
The typical entry-level education for geological technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a geological technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $102,090) and the lowest (Georgia, $34,710) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,980 people work as geological technicians in the United States. At $53,350 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Geological technician salary FAQ
How much does a geological technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a geological technician is $25.65. The middle half of geological technicians earn between $21.56 and $34.67 per hour.
What is the highest geological technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of geological technicians earn more than $99,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a geological technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a geological technician is $53,350. The average (mean) wage of $61,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a geological technician a well paid job?
At $53,350 a year, a geological technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,980 people work as geological technicians in the United States.
Which state pays geological technicians the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for geological technicians at $102,090 a year. Indiana ($79,290) and Alaska ($76,090) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a geological technician a good career?
Employment of geological technicians is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a geological technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for geological technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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