AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 19-4043.00

Will AI replace Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians: AI can already handle 22 of 29 tasks; the work mostly needs a standard-tier model.

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Every task, scored

The 29 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians, from most to least exposed. 22 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.

Task AI exposure Evidence Model tier Importance
Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas. 80 Estimated Efficient 3.8
Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting. 80 Estimated Efficient 3.7
Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites. 80 Estimated Efficient 3.0
Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment. 75 Estimated Standard 4.6
Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis. 75 Estimated Efficient 4.5
Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections. 75 Estimated Frontier 4.1
Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data. 75 Estimated Efficient 4.0
Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs. 75 Estimated Efficient 3.9
Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data. 75 Estimated Efficient 3.8
Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment. 75 Estimated Efficient 3.6
Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information. 75 Estimated Efficient 3.6
Measure geological characteristics used in prospecting for oil or gas, using measuring instruments. 75 Estimated Standard 3.6
Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases. 75 Estimated Frontier 3.5
Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations. 75 Estimated Standard 3.3
Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits. 75 Estimated Standard 3.0
Collect data on underground areas, such as reservoirs, that could be used in carbon sequestration operations. 75 Estimated Efficient 3.0
Supervise well exploration, drilling activities, or well completions. 75 Estimated Frontier 2.9
Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis. 65 Estimated Frontier 3.8
Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials. 65 Estimated Efficient 3.2
Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas. 65 Estimated Standard 3.2
Evaluate and interpret seismic data with the aid of computers. 65 Estimated Standard 3.0
Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation. 65 Estimated Standard 2.4
Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data. 50 Estimated Frontier 4.0
Collect geological data from potential geothermal energy plant sites. 50 Estimated Efficient 3.0
Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis. 40 Observed Efficient 4.2
Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices. 20 Estimated Efficient 3.7
Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems. 20 Estimated Efficient 3.3
Conduct geophysical surveys of potential sites for wind farms or solar installations to determine their suitability. 20 Estimated Efficient 3.0
Inspect engines for wear or defective parts, using equipment or measuring devices. 20 Estimated Efficient 2.6

Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 1 of 29 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 28 of 29. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.

The model tier this role needs

A standard-tier model or lower covers 82% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 100% of the work is something AI can address at some tier.

Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.

Wages, employment and outlook

US employment
6,980
Median annual wage
$53,350
Middle half of earners
$44,850 to $72,110
Projected change, 2024 to 2034
+1.5%

Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.

Adjacent roles

The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.

Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.

Questions about Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians and AI

Will AI replace Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?

AI already handles 22 of the 29 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 64 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by +1.5% from 2024 to 2034.

What is the AI exposure of Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?

64 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 1 of the 29 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 28 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.

Which Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians tasks can AI already do?

The tasks with the highest exposure are: Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas; Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting; Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites. They are three of the 22 tasks that reach 60 or more.

What AI model tier does this role need?

A standard-tier model or lower covers 82% of the role's importance-weighted task work. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.

How many people work as Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians, and what do they earn?

6,980 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $53,350 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of +1.5% from 2024 to 2034.

How to cite

Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.

JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/geological-technicians-except-hydrologic-technicians

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