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Oil and Gas
ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Geoscientists study rocks, soils, fossils, and subsurface data to answer practical questions: where minerals or groundwater might be, what a drill log means, or whether an area is prone to landslides or earthquakes. The work stands out because it blends field sampling, computer analysis, and technical writing, and the biggest tradeoff is that you are often making expensive decisions from incomplete evidence while dealing with weather, travel, and industry cycles.
Also known as GeologistExploration GeologistStaff GeologistProject GeologistEnvironmental Geologist
Median Salary
$99,240
Mean $111,310
U.S. Workforce
~23K
2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.2%
25.1K to 26K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~23K workers, with a median annual pay of $99,240 and roughly 2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 25.1 K in 2024 to 26K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Master's degree in geology or earth science, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Geoscience Technician and can progress toward Principal Geoscientist. High-value skills usually include Scientific Literature Review & Technical Writing, ArcGIS, QGIS & Geological Mapping, and Well Logs, Core Samples & Subsurface Interpretation, paired with soft skills such as Analytical thinking, Clear communication, and Attention to detail.
Core Responsibilities
- Review maps, drill logs, aerial images, and survey records to piece together what the underground layers look like.
- Visit field sites or drilling locations to collect rock, soil, and fossil samples and measure physical signals like magnetism or seismic activity.
- Use software and spreadsheets to organize data and estimate where oil, gas, minerals, or groundwater may be found.
- Check whether an area could be vulnerable to landslides, earthquakes, or volcanic activity and explain the risk in plain language.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Review maps, drill logs, aerial images, and survey records to piece together what the underground layers look like.
02 Visit field sites or drilling locations to collect rock, soil, and fossil samples and measure physical signals like magnetism or seismic activity.
03 Use software and spreadsheets to organize data and estimate where oil, gas, minerals, or groundwater may be found.
04 Check whether an area could be vulnerable to landslides, earthquakes, or volcanic activity and explain the risk in plain language.
05 Read research articles, reports, and prior studies to compare evidence and improve your interpretation.
06 Write reports, papers, and presentations, and sometimes share findings at conferences or teach geology at a university.
Industries That Hire
⛏️
Mining and Metals
Rio Tinto, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan
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Environmental Consulting
AECOM, Tetra Tech, Jacobs
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Government Research and Surveying
U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, NASA
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Engineering and Infrastructure
WSP, Bechtel, Stantec
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is strong for a science job, with a mean annual wage of $111,310 and a median of $99,240.
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The work is varied: one week may be field sampling, the next may be GIS analysis, and the next may be writing a report.
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The role can lead into several sectors, including energy, mining, environmental consulting, and government research.
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There is a clear education ladder, and the large share of workers with master's degrees shows that advanced study can pay off.
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Job demand is steady rather than disappearing, with about 2,000 annual openings expected.
Challenges
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Growth is modest at 3.2% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a rapidly expanding field.
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Many jobs are tied to oil, mining, and construction cycles, so hiring can slow when those industries cut budgets.
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Fieldwork can mean long drives, remote locations, rough weather, and safety risks, especially when collecting samples or visiting drill sites.
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Career advancement can be harder with only a bachelor's degree, since 43.75% of workers have a master's and 9.38% have a doctorate.
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Some routine mapping and data review can be automated or standardized, so workers need to keep up with new software and methods to stay competitive.
Career Progression
Geoscience Technician
0-2 years
$55K-$72K
Supports field sampling, sample prep, mapping, and data entry while learning how geologic information is gathered and checked.
Geoscientist, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
2-6 years
$82K-$118K
Interprets field and lab data, builds models, and helps decide where to drill, survey, or investigate further.
Senior Geoscientist THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$118K-$150K
Leads complex studies, reviews other scientists' work, and is trusted to explain uncertain findings to managers or clients.
Principal Geoscientist
10+ years
$150K-$190K
Sets technical direction for major projects, approves recommendations, and often manages high-stakes exploration, hazard, or environmental work.
Education Paths
Master's degree in geology or earth science
The most common path, held by 43.75% of workers in this role, is a master's degree, which is especially useful for research-heavy, environmental, or exploration work.
Bachelor's degree in geology, earth science, or a related field
A bachelor's degree is also a major route, and 37.5% of workers in this occupation enter with that level of education, especially for field and applied analysis roles.
Doctoral degree
A doctorate is less common but important for university teaching and advanced research, and it accounts for 9.38% of workers in the occupation.
Post-baccalaureate certificate or targeted graduate coursework
A shorter credential can help with specialized skills or career changes, but only 3.12% of workers in the occupation report this path.
Key Skills
Technical
Scientific Literature Review & Technical Writing 78%
ArcGIS, QGIS & Geological Mapping 75%
Well Logs, Core Samples & Subsurface Interpretation 75%
Seismic, Gravity & Magnetic Data Analysis 75%
Python, MATLAB & Excel for Earth Data 72%
Field Sampling, GPS & Survey Equipment 72%
Soft Skills
Analytical thinkingClear communicationAttention to detailCuriosityJudgment under uncertaintyCollaboration Job Outlook and Trends
+3.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 25.1K to 26 K over the next decade, representing 3.2% growth. Around 2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.