Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsO*NET 19-2042.00United States
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems.
- Median annual earnings
- $102,291
- Projected change
- +7.3%
- Typical education
- Master's or Professional degree
- Employment
- 27.29K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
43.8% of the workforce
Growing to 29.27K by 2035
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ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
- Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
- Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
- Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
- Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
- Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $55,481
- 25th percentile
- $72,817
- 50th percentile
- $102,291
- 75th percentile
- $147,152
- 90th percentile
- $220,333
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $102,291 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+7.3%faster than average
202527,293 jobs
2035 projected29,273 jobs
1,980 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Master's or Professional degree
- 43.8%
- Bachelor's degree
- 40.6%
- Doctoral degree or more
- 15.6%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Operations Analysis
- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Geologists748 postings
- 02Hydrogeologists552 postings
- 03Field Geologists212 postings
- 04Project Geologists180 postings
- 05Environmental Geologists175 postings
- 06Chief Geologists167 postings
- 07Engineering Geologists156 postings
- 08Geologists/Hydrogeologists151 postings
- 09Water Systems Technicians138 postings
- 10Exploration Geologists137 postings
- 11Flex Staff135 postings
- 12Environmental Engineers/Geologists119 postings
- 13Geophysicists86 postings
- 14Geochemists84 postings
- 15Mine Geologists82 postings
- 16Geotechnical Interns75 postings
- 17Spectral Geologists67 postings
- 18Staff Scientists65 postings
- 19Field Geophysicists64 postings
- 20Resource Geologists59 postings
Top employers
- 01CDM Smith284 postings
- 02Terracon Consultants210 postings
- 03AECOM163 postings
- 04WSP Global151 postings
- 05Stantec146 postings
- 06Geosyntec Consultants106 postings
- 07Barrick (HMC) Mining Company103 postings
- 08Barrick Gold Corporation88 postings
- 09Barr Engineering Co.75 postings
- 10Nevada Gold Mines71 postings
- 11Jacobs Solutions70 postings
- 12Ensafe69 postings
- 13Haley & Aldrich56 postings
- 14Actalent55 postings
- 15Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania54 postings
- 16Hitachi53 postings
- 17Montgomery & Associates41 postings
- 18Enercon38 postings
- 19Roux Associates37 postings
- 20State of California36 postings
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