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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

	Median Wage (USD, 2025)	Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)	Projected Growth (2025-2035)
National Statistics	$101920	2000	3.6%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$101920

Median Wage (USD, 2025)

2000

Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)

3.6%

Projected Growth (2025-2035)

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 Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

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.
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.
Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
Research geological features or processes.
Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
Research hydrologic features or processes.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Analyze environmental data.
Monitor construction operations.
Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
Measure environmental characteristics.
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.
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

Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
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.
Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
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.
Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.
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.
Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.
Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.
Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.
Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.
Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.
Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.
Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.
Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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