Careers / Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$101,920
United States, 2025
Employment
23,470
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 4
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 19-2042.00
- Job zone
- 4
- Experience required
- None
Typical tasks
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$59,330
25th percentile
$75,110
75th percentile
$139,380
90th percentile
$200,230
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Science4.3
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Mathematics3.5
- Active Learning3.4
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Systems Analysis3.3
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 19 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
19
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.3 | 5.1 | Not selected | 5.1 |
| Science | 4.3 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Writing | 4.0 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.3 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $219,140 | 370 | 2025 |
| Houston, TX | $174,490 | 2,380 | 2025 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $154,390 | 40 | 2025 |
| TX | $145,220 | 4,900 | 2025 |
| Lubbock, TX | $140,660 | 40 | 2025 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $136,120 | 50 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $136,120 | 170 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $132,790 | 60 | 2025 |
| Dallas, TX | $132,780 | 610 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $132,620 | 320 | 2025 |
| Odessa, TX | $129,730 | 60 | 2025 |
| New Orleans, LA | $125,570 | 130 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,310 | 430 | 2025 |
| Gulfport, MS | $122,100 | 170 | 2025 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $121,820 | 30 | 2025 |
| RI | $121,010 | — | 2025 |
| Denver, CO | $120,480 | 1,020 | 2025 |
| Providence, RI | $120,240 | — | 2025 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $119,990 | 490 | 2025 |
| OK | $119,990 | 770 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.