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Geoscientist

Overview and Key Facts

geoscientist
Education
Education
Master's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$99,240
Job Growth
Job Growth
3.20%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
26,000

What Do They Do?

A geoscientist could...

 
bridge
Locate the safest place to build a new bridge in an area that is prone to earthquakes.
rocks
Discover new ways to extract oil from rocks—needed for transportation, food, fabrics, plastics, and more.
asteroids
Study the physical composition and structure of asteroids
underground water
Find an underground water reserve that can be used to produce geothermal energy.
 
bridge rocks asteroids underground water

Overview Listen to this section

Just as a doctor uses tools and techniques, like X-rays and stethoscopes, to look inside the human body, geoscientists explore deep inside a much bigger patient—planet Earth. Geoscientists seek to better understand our planet, and to discover natural resources, like water, minerals, and petroleum oil, which are used in everything from shoes, fabrics, roads, roofs, and lotions to fertilizers, food packaging, ink, and CD's. The work of geoscientists affects everyone and everything. In the space industry, geoscientists apply their expertise to study other planets and moons, analyze soil and rock samples, and search for resources and conditions that could support life or future space exploration.
Watch this video to view the world through the eyes of a geoscientist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Y5viQxgIw

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Geoscientist?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Speaking: ?
  3. Critical Thinking: ?
  4. Science: ?
  5. Writing: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Geoscientist might do:
  • 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.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Geoscientist Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Geoscientist jobs (3.20%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Geoscientist

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

A master's degree is the primary educational requirement for most entry-level positions. A PhD is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions, but a master's degree is preferred for most other geoscience jobs.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Master's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's degree is adequate for a few entry-level positions, but most geoscientists need a master's degree in geology or earth science. A master's degree is the preferred educational requirement for most entry-level research positions in private industry, federal agencies, and state geological surveys. A PhD is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions, but it may not be preferred for other jobs.

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor's or higher degree in a geoscience. Traditional geoscience courses emphasizing classical geologic methods and topics (such as mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology) are important for all geoscientists. People who study physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, or computer science may also qualify for some geoscience positions if their course work includes geology.

In terms of licensure, a number of states require geoscientists who offer their services directly to the public, particularly geologists, to obtain a license from a state licensing board. Licensing requirements vary, but often include education, experience, and a passing score on an examination.

Companies That Hire Geoscientists

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Watch this episode of Surprisingly STEM and learn how exploration geologist Angela Garcia is training NASA astronauts to explore.
These NASA tests that we do are like dress rehearsals for when we send humans back to the Moon with Artemis. And so, it's really about empowering them and teaching them everything that they need to know to really be field geologists on the Moon. It's sending astronauts that are well-trained and able to pick up the best samples that then can be brought back to Earth. 
Angela Garcia, Exploration Geologist, Amentum at NASA Johnson Space Center
Find out how Jessica Luo discovered her unique biogeochemistry role in which she designs computer models to explore the role of plankton in the carbon cycle.
[D]on’t obsess over 'finding your passion' — that’s generally bad advice. Just try things to see if you like them, as discovering what you don’t like is also enlightening, and prioritize developing your own skills along the way.  
Jessica Luo, Biological Oceanographer, NOAA
Read A Scientist's Life: James Day
The question that keeps me motivated most is where did Earth and other planets get their water from? Did that water arrive very early as the planet was forming, known as accreting, or did it come from additions much later after the planet formed, by a process called late accretion? What effect would this different timing have on planetary habitability?

These processes may not affect us on a daily basis, but it is important to know how planets formed and why we have the climate conditions we have on our planet today. The answers will also tell us about other planetary bodies such as planets orbiting other stars (exoplanets). They can give us some indication of whether there are other planets harboring life. 
James Day, Geologist

Nature of the Work

Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of Earth. They study Earth's geologic past and present by using sophisticated instruments to analyze the composition of earth, rock, and water. Many geoscientists help to search for natural resources, such as groundwater, metals, and petroleum. Others work closely with environmental and other scientists to preserve and clean up the environment.

Geoscientists usually study and work in one of several closely related fields of geoscience. Geologists study the composition, processes, and history of Earth. They try to find out how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since their formation. They also study the evolution of life by analyzing plant and animal fossils. Geophysicists use the principles of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to study not only Earth's surface, but also its internal composition, ground and surface waters, atmosphere, oceans, and magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces.

Within these two major disciplines of geology and geophysics are numerous sub-specialties. For example, engineering geologists apply geologic principles to the fields of civil and environmental engineering, offering advice on major construction projects and assisting in environmental remediation and natural hazard-reduction projects. Mineralogists analyze and classify minerals and precious stones according to their composition and structure. They study the environment surrounding rocks in order to find new mineral resources. Paleontologists study fossils found in geological formations to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geologic history of the Earth. Volcanologists investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to try to predict the potential for future eruptions and hazards to human health and welfare.

Geophysicists specialize in areas such as geodesy, seismology, and magnetic geophysics. Geodesists study the Earth's size, shape, gravitational field, tides, polar motion, and rotation. Seismologists interpret data from seismographs and other geophysical instruments to detect earthquakes and locate earthquake-related faults. Paleomagnetists interpret fossil magnetization in rocks and sediments from the continents and oceans to record the spreading of the sea floor, the wandering of the continents, and the many reversals of polarity that Earth's magnetic field has undergone through time. Other geophysicists study atmospheric sciences and space physics.

Geoscientists in research positions with the federal government or in colleges and universities are frequently required to design programs and write grant proposals in order to fund their research. Geoscientists in consulting jobs face similar pressures to market their skills and write proposals so that they will have steady work.

In the space industry, geoscientists study the geology of other planets, moons, and asteroids to better understand their composition, history, and potential for supporting life or human exploration. They analyze data from spacecraft, rovers, and satellites to map planetary surfaces, identify mineral deposits, and study soil and rock samples. Geoscientists play a key role in finding resources like water ice or valuable minerals that could be used for future missions. They also help determine suitable landing sites for spacecraft and investigate planetary processes to uncover the secrets of how celestial bodies form and evolve.

Work Environment

Geoscientists can spend a large part of their time in the field, identifying and examining rocks, studying information collected by remote sensing instruments in satellites, conducting geological surveys, constructing field maps, and using instruments to measure Earth's gravity and magnetic field. They often perform seismic studies, for example, which involve bouncing energy waves off buried layers of rock, to search for oil and gas or to understand the structure of the subsurface layers. Similarly, they use seismic signals generated by an earthquake to determine the earthquake's location and intensity. In laboratories, geologists and geophysicists examine the chemical and physical properties of specimens. They study fossil remains of animal and plant life or experiment with the flow of water and oil through rocks.

Some geoscientists spend the majority of their time in an office, but many others divide their time between fieldwork and office or laboratory work. Work at remote field sites is common. Many geoscientists, such as volcanologists, often take field trips that involve physical activity. Geoscientists in the field may work in warm or cold climates and in all kinds of weather. In their research, they may dig or chip with a hammer, scoop with a net, and carry equipment in a backpack. Geologists frequently travel to remote field sites by helicopter or 4-wheel-drive vehicles and cover large areas on foot. Many exploration geologists and geophysicists work in foreign countries, sometimes in remote areas and under difficult conditions. Travel is often required to meet with prospective clients or investors. Fieldwork often requires working long hours.

More Information

Ask Questions

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Additional Resources

Information on training and career opportunities for geologists is available from the following organizations:

Information on locating and applying for job opportunities as a geologist, geophysicist, or oceanographer with the federal government is available from this website:

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