NOC 22101: Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
What geological and mineral technologists and technicians do
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and by governments and educational institutions as well as by a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Geological and mineral technologists
- Conduct or direct geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs
- Configure, operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Prepare, transcribe or analyze seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist engineers and geologists in the evaluation and analysis of petroleum and mineral reservoirs
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and perform physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Conduct or assist in environmental audits, in the design of measures to minimize undesirable environmental effects of new or expanded mining and oil and gas operations, and in the development of waste management and other related environmental protection procedures
- May supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and work-overs
- May conduct or supervise studies and programs related to mine development, mining methods, mine ventilation, lighting, drainage and ground control
- May assist engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments or corrosion protection systems
- May assist hydrogeologists in evaluating groundwater and well circulation and in report preparation
- May develop specifications for heat treatment of metals or for welding, design welding fixtures, troubleshoot welding processes or quality problems and supervise welding projects
- May coordinate crew members' activities during seismic tests.
- Geological and mineral technicians
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs and in environmental audits and related environmental protection activities
- Operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Assist in preparing, transcribing or analyzing seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist in the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and in conducting physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Assist in hydrogeological field and laboratory studies and in preparation of reports
- Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of geology, geophysics and petroleum and mining engineering.
Job titles under NOC 22101
84 job titles are classified here, including assayer, geological technician, geophysical technologist.
- airborne geophysical equipment operator
- assayer
- assayer - mineralogy
- diamond drilling technician
- drilling fluid technician
- foundry laboratory technician
- geological engineering technician
- geological engineering technologist
- geological prospecting technologist
- geological survey technician
- geological technician
- geological technologist
- geology technical assistant
- geophysical data technician
- geophysical observer
- geophysical prospecting technologist
- geophysical survey technician
- geophysical survey technologist
- geophysical technician
- geophysical technologist
- geotechnician
- gold assayer
- gold prospector
- gravity data technician
Employment requirements
- Geological and mineral technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology, hydrogeology or groundwater technology, mining technology, mining engineering technology, mineralogy, metallurgical technology, or welding technology.
- Geophysics technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics technology.
- Geological and mineral technicians usually require completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field.
- Certification in geological and mineral technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $20.95/hr | $30.53/hr | $52.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $20.00/hr | $29.76/hr | $48.72/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $20.99/hr | $28.50/hr | $42.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $21.59/hr | $31.25/hr | $67.00/hr |
Edmonton AB | $24.00/hr | $35.00/hr | $51.25/hr |
Ottawa ON | $20.00/hr | $29.76/hr | $48.72/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $22.00/hr | $33.00/hr | $62.50/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $20.00/hr | $29.76/hr | $48.72/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $22.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $43.75/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $22.32/hr | $37.00/hr | $50.00/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00/hr | $33.00/hr | $57.44/hr |
Nova Scotia | $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $53.85/hr |
New Brunswick | $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $53.85/hr |
Quebec | $22.00/hr | $33.00/hr | $62.50/hr |
Ontario | $20.00/hr | $29.76/hr | $48.72/hr |
Manitoba | $23.75/hr | $31.00/hr | $47.50/hr |
Saskatchewan | $22.32/hr | $37.00/hr | $50.00/hr |
Alberta | $21.59/hr | $31.25/hr | $67.00/hr |
British Columbia | $22.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $43.75/hr |
Using NOC 22101 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 84 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Chemical laboratory technician (NOC 22100)
- Chemical laboratory technologist (NOC 22100)
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22300)
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (NOC 82021)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22310)
- Supervisors, mining and quarrying (NOC 82020)
- Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (NOC 22214)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for geological and mineral technologists and technicians?
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians are NOC 2021 unit group 22101. Example job titles in this group include assayer, geological technician, geophysical technologist, groundwater technologist.
What TEER is NOC 22101?
NOC 22101 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do geological and mineral technologists and technicians earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $30.53/hr, about $60,000 a year full-time, with a range of $20.95/hr to $52.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.