Mud logger
Also known as: surface logging specialist, mud logging technican, surface logging technician, logging geologist, surface logger, mudlogger
About this occupation
Mud loggers analyse the drilling fluids after they have been drilled up. They analyse the fluids in a laboratory. Mud loggers determine the position of hydrocarbons with respect to depth. They also monitor natural gas and identify lithology.
A specialisation of geologist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- prepare samples for testing
- write production reports
- use a computer
- work safely with chemicals
- test samples for pollutants
- natural gas
- conduct soil sample tests
- collect samples
- chemical processes
- test oil samples
- geology
- perform sample testing
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Helpers--Extraction Workers (O*NET 47-5081.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
- Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
- Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
- Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
- Organize materials to prepare for use.
- Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing
US median pay: US$47,730 a year (2025), 6,700 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- Helpers--Production Workers
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Helpers--Carpenters
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.