Employers
Approximately 12,400 geological and petroleum technicians are employed in the United States; about 39 percent of all technicians work in Texas. Technicians are employed by major oil and gas companies. Environmental consulting and environmental engineering firms may also be a source of employment in the private sector. With these firms, geological technicians assist in creating environmental impact studies.
The federal government hires geologists and may employ geological technicians in the Department of the Interior (specifically in the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation) and in the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Commerce.
State agencies, nonprofit research organizations, and state-funded museums are also possible sources of employment for geological technicians.
Starting Out
Prospective geological technicians can look for work in various areas, including private industry and government. The exploration departments of oil and gas companies are the first places to look for a position as a geological technician. Most are multinational corporations and are likely to have many geological technicians on staff in the United States, as well as in overseas departments.
Internships and volunteerships should be considered. During college, you will probably be required to participate in an internship or co-op. Large corporations and professional associations also provide information on internships. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Cartographers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Coal Miners
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Ecologists
- Electricians
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landmen
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Marine Biologists
- Materials Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meteorologists
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Mining Engineers
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Operating Engineers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Rewilders
- Roustabouts
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Truck Drivers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists