Geoscientists
1. OVERVIEW
Geoscientists study the Earth’s structure, composition, and physical processes to understand its history and forecast future changes. Their insights guide industries like environmental protection, energy, resource extraction, and climate science.
2024 Median Pay: $99,240/year
Job Growth (2023–2033): +5% (about as fast as average)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience or related field
Job Openings/Year: ~2,200
2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL
ENTRY LEVEL
Job Titles: Junior Geoscientist, Geological Assistant, Environmental Technician
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience or related field
Experience: 0–2 years; internships or lab/fieldwork experience helpful
Certifications (Optional): OSHA Field Safety Certification, GIS Certificate
Core Duties:
• Conduct field studies and collect rock, soil, and water samples
• Assist with GIS mapping and geophysical data analysis
• Support lab testing and data entry
• Prepare basic reports and maps for review
Salary Range: $58,000–$80,000
MID LEVEL
Job Titles: Project Geologist, Environmental Consultant, Field Researcher
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Experience: 3–7 years
Certifications (Recommended): Fundamentals of Geology (FG), GIS Certification
Core Duties:
• Lead field investigations and environmental site assessments
• Analyze geological and geochemical data for risk or resource evaluation
• Prepare detailed technical reports and maps
• Use GIS and modeling tools for subsurface mapping
Salary Range: $80,000–$110,000
SENIOR LEVEL
Job Titles: Senior Geologist, Hydrogeologist, Petroleum Geoscientist, Earth Systems Analyst
Education: Master’s degree or higher (preferred)
Experience: 8–15+ years
Certifications (Preferred): State Geology License (via ASBOG or AIPG), Advanced GIS or Remote Sensing
Core Duties:
• Oversee large-scale geological projects and interpret complex datasets
• Supervise junior scientists and field teams
• Present findings to stakeholders or government bodies
• Lead environmental remediation or energy development strategies
Salary Range: $110,000–$150,000+
3. HOW TO BECOME ONE
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience, Earth Science, or Environmental Science
• Training: Field/lab experience through coursework or internships
• Certifications: Fundamentals of Geology (FG), GIS Certificate, OSHA Field Safety
Professional Associations:
• American Geosciences Institute (AGI)
• Geological Society of America (GSA)
• American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)
• ASBOG (Licensing Body for Geologists)
4. IMPORTANT SKILLS
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Physical stamina for fieldwork
• GIS and mapping proficiency (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
• Communication and technical writing
• Scientific tools & modeling software knowledge
5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Work split across offices, labs, and field sites
• May involve long hours, remote locations, or international travel
• Employed by engineering/consulting firms, energy companies, and government agencies
• Collaborate with environmental scientists, engineers, and policymakers
6. JOB OUTLOOK & CHALLENGES
• Employment projected to grow 5% from 2023–2033
• ~2,200 openings/year due to expansion and retirements
• Key drivers: renewable energy, environmental remediation, and hazard prediction
• Challenges: Budget constraints in government roles, hazardous field conditions
7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Role: Environmental Scientists | Salary: $78,980 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Hydrologists | Salary: $90,680 | Education Level: Bachelor’s or Master’s
Role: Petroleum Engineers | Salary: $137,330 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Mining and Geological Engineers | Salary: $103,910 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Geographers | Salary: $89,980 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
8. RESOURCES FOR FURTHER LEARNING
Certifications & Associations
• ASBOG Geology Licensing Exams
• AIPG Certification Programs
• GIS Certification Institute
Free & Paid Courses
• Coursera – Geology and Earth Sciences
• Esri – ArcGIS for Geoscience
• Udemy – Remote Sensing and QGIS
Books
• "Essentials of Geology" by Lutgens & Tarbuck
• "Principles of Geology" by Charles Lyell
YouTube Channels
• GeologyHub
• Earth Rocks!
• SciShow Earth
9. TOOLS & SOFTWARE
• GIS: ArcGIS, QGIS
• Modeling: RockWorks, MATLAB
• Field: GPS devices, sampling kits, GPR
• Lab: XRF analyzers, microscopes
• Data: Seismic records, satellite images
10. STATE & AREA DATA TO EXPLORE
• BLS State Wage Data
• CareerOneStop Salary Finder
• Projections Central
