Community Sentiment
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AI Automation Index
Will AI Replace Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?
Task-level automation exposure for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians: 29 O*NET tasks scored against their work activities, plus the simulator.
E-E-A-T Verified
Developed & audited by Gini Loh Automation Exposure
46%
weighted task index
29 of 29 tasks scored
Median Salary
$53,350 / year
BLS OEWS, May 2025 — this exact occupation
Employment Level
Low
6,980 people hold this job — size, not growth
Projected 2025–35
+3.6%
employment change
1,000 openings a year · BLS line item
Pay by state
BLS OEWS publishes 35 state estimates for this occupation. Each is its own survey estimate, not the national median adjusted for local prices.
$34,710 – $102,090
Highest medians
Maryland $102,090
Indiana $79,290
Alaska $76,090
Nevada $73,700
California $69,410
Lowest medians
Georgia $34,710
Alabama $35,670
Idaho $46,680
Texas $46,840
Oklahoma $46,890
State figures come from the 19-4043 row in the May 2025 state panel. States where the estimate was suppressed or too small to publish are absent.
What the score is made of
Each task is mapped to its work activities, scored for AI automation potential, and weighted by how important those activities are to the job. These are the components.
Automation potential 46%
Importance-weighted mean of the scored tasks. This is the headline index.
Physical work 23%
Share of weighted tasks in hands-on or machine-operating work activities.
Judgment & influence 49%
Share in analysis, decisions, teaching, directing, advising, or caring for others.
Routine administration 13%
Share in documenting, recording, and administrative activities.
Rewritten by O*NET 0%
Share of weighted tasks O*NET rewrote in a recent update. Reported, not folded into the score.
Consequence of error 3/100
Low
O*NET's own rating of how serious an uncorrectable mistake would be here — respondents, not us. Deliberately not in the index: the score measures what AI can do with the task content, and multiplying it by stakes would be our judgment dressed as data.
Constituent Task Mix
29 tasks for this occupation, weighted by work-activity importance. Shares below are of total task weight, not task count.
High exposure (≥ 60% of the task is automatable) 45%
12 tasks
Medium exposure (≥ 35%) 11%
4 tasks
Low exposure (below 35%) 44%
13 tasks
How would you survive?
Move your week away from the high-exposure tasks and toward the ones that need judgment. The simulator recalculates the index as you shift the mix.
Simulate Upskilling →Constituent Tasks
#22262 · Core · 20% automatable
Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
physical manipulation — Lab sample handling and instruments are hands-on
Analyze geological samples.
#22263 · Core · 8% automatable
Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
physical manipulation — Physical sample collection
Collect samples for analysis or testing.
#22264 · Core · 82% automatable
Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
data analysis — Record research or operational data into schemas
Record research or operational data.
#22265 · Core · 60% automatable
Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
visual inspection — Generates maps from data; cartographic judgment human
Prepare maps.
#22266 · Core · 55% automatable
Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
information retrieval — Geology literature research aided; field work human
Research geological features or processes.
#22267 · Core · 76% automatable
Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
data analysis — Record research or operational data into schemas
Analyze geological or geographical data. Record research or operational data.
#22268 · Core · 18% automatable
Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
physical manipulation — Physical calibration of instruments requires hands
Calibrate scientific or technical equipment. Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
#22269 · Core · 78% automatable
Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
information retrieval — Collect archival data from sources
Collect archival data.
#22270 · Core · 54% automatable
Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
information retrieval — Collect archival data from sources
Collect archival data. Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
#22271 · Core · 60% automatable
Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
visual inspection — Generates maps from data; cartographic judgment human
Prepare maps.
#22272 · Core · 78% automatable
Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.
data analysis — Geographic data compilation, human checks quality
Compile geographic or related data.
#22273 · Supplemental · 20% automatable
Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
physical manipulation — Hands-on lab/field equipment operation with samples
Operate laboratory or field equipment.
#22274 · Supplemental · 32% automatable
Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data.
interpersonal — Technical supervision requires judgment and accountability
Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
#22275 · Supplemental · 20% automatable
Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
interpersonal — Directing technical operations needs human accountability
Set up laboratory or field equipment. Direct technical activities or operations.
#22276 · Supplemental · 82% automatable
Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
data analysis — Record research or operational data into schemas
Record research or operational data.
#22277 · Supplemental · 22% automatable
Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment.
physical manipulation — Operating cameras at events is hands-on
Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment.
#22278 · Supplemental · 62% automatable
Measure geological characteristics used in prospecting for oil or gas, using measuring instruments.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#22279 · Supplemental · 62% automatable
Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#22280 · Supplemental · 58% automatable
Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials.
data analysis — Analysis aided; primary environmental data collection human
Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
#22281 · Supplemental · 20% automatable
Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
physical manipulation — Lab sample handling and instruments are hands-on
Analyze geological samples.
#22282 · Supplemental · 22% automatable
Supervise well exploration, drilling activities, or well completions.
decision support — Extraction projects need field direction and site accountability
Direct natural resources extraction projects.
#22283 · Supplemental · 20% automatable
Inspect engines for wear or defective parts, using equipment or measuring devices.
visual inspection — Hands-on verification of equipment functioning
Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
#22285 · Supplemental · 45% automatable
Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation.
interpersonal — Research collaboration is iterative human teamwork
Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
#22286 · Core · 62% automatable
Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#22287 · Core · 8% automatable
Collect data on underground areas, such as reservoirs, that could be used in carbon sequestration operations.
situated mobility — Environmental sampling needs field presence and hands
Collect environmental data or samples.
#22288 · Core · 10% automatable
Collect geological data from potential geothermal energy plant sites.
situated mobility — Field data collection requires being in the field
Collect geographical or geological field data.
#22289 · Core · 78% automatable
Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites.
data analysis — Environmental data compilation, human validates sources
Compile environmental or climatological data.
#22290 · Core · 20% automatable
Conduct geophysical surveys of potential sites for wind farms or solar installations to determine their suitability.
situated mobility — Land surveying requires field instrument work
Survey land or properties.
#22291 · Core · 70% automatable
Evaluate and interpret seismic data with the aid of computers.
data analysis — Geological/geographic data analysis with human review
Analyze geological or geographical data.
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How this was scored
- 1. Tasks. O*NET task statements for this occupation, from a release whose newest record is dated 08/2026.
- 2. Work activities. Each task maps to 1–5 Detailed Work Activities; each activity belongs to one of 41 Generalized Work Activities that O*NET rates for importance (1–5) in this occupation.
- 3. Automation potential. Every work activity carries one score for how far current AI can perform it end-to-end. Tasks inherit the mean of their activities.
- 4. Weighting. Task weight = 0.35 + 0.65 × (importance − 1)/4, scaled by how often the task is performed and by 0.7 for Supplemental tasks. Importance is the task's own O*NET rating where it exists (18,369 of 18,838 tasks); the rest inherit their work activities' importance. The index is the weighted mean.
Check: across the 910 occupations where O*NET also rates how far machine speed sets the pace, this index moves opposite to it (Spearman ρ = -0.49). The more a job is paced by equipment, the less of its task content AI can address — the relationship you would expect if the scoring is working.
Sources · O*NET 31.0 (task records to 08/2026) · BLS OEWS May 2025 · BLS projections 2025-2035 · rubric v2.1 · tasks for O*NET, not a forecast
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