Will AI replace Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?
AI reaches some of this job’s work, but most of it stays with people.
27/100
Moderate exposure
More exposed to AI than 43% of US workers.
- AI already used in
- 18% of the work
- As AI tools mature: up to
- 50% of the work
What the job involves
Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.
Where AI reaches the work
The job’s main tasks, heaviest first, by how far AI reaches them.
Already happening(4)
- Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
- Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
- Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment.
Within reach(12)
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
- Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
- Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
- Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data.
- Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits.
and 7 more
Out of reach(13)
- Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
- Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
- Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
- Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
and 8 more
Also called
Crude Tester · Geological Sample Tester · Geophysical Prospector · Magnetometer Operator · Mineral Technologist · Mining Technician · Mud Logger · Seismic Interpreter
Related jobs
What these numbers mean
The score is the share of this job’s work, weighted by how important and frequent each task is, that AI could do in half the time: tasks an AI model could do alone count in full, tasks that need software built on AI count half.
“AI already used” is the share of the work in tasks where people are recorded using AI today. “As AI tools mature” counts every task AI could halve, with or without extra software.
The percentile compares the score with every job’s, weighted by how many people in the US do each one. Exposure means AI could change how the work is done, not that the job goes away. These are estimates for the typical job, not predictions.
Sources
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
- GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs (task labels), Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), OpenAI and University of Pennsylvania
- Anthropic Economic Index: labor market impacts (task penetration), Anthropic
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national and metropolitan areas), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics