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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$99,240	2200	5.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$99,240

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

2200

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

5.5%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Master's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Analyze geological or geographical data.
Interpret research or operational data.
Prepare maps.
Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
Collect data about project sites.
Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
Research geological features or processes.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
Research hydrologic features or processes.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Analyze environmental data.
Interpret research or operational data.
Monitor construction operations.
Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
Analyze geological or geographical data.
Interpret research or operational data.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
Research geological features or processes.
Prepare maps.
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
Measure environmental characteristics.
Research geological features or processes.
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Communicate results of environmental research.
Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
Measure environmental characteristics.
Analyze geological samples.
Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
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.
Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites.
Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.
Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.
Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.
Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.
Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.
Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.
Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.

Work Styles

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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