Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas.

Geological and petroleum technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most geological and petroleum technicians work full time.

Geological and petroleum technicians typically need an associate's degree or 2 years of postsecondary training in applied science or a science-related technology. Some jobs may require a bachelor's degree. Geological and petroleum technicians also receive on-the-job training.

The median annual wage for geological and petroleum technicians was $55,610 in May 2015.

Employment of geological and petroleum technicians is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Strong demand for natural gas is expected to increase demand for geological exploration and extraction in the future.

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