Occupation · SOC 19-2042
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
364 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceCritical ThinkingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningMathematicsSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisActive LearningMonitoringLearning StrategiesCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessInstructingTime ManagementPersuasionService OrientationOperations AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
GeographyMathematicsEnglish LanguageChemistryPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingBiologyLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityCommunications and MediaCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeHistory and ArcheologyEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalDesignForeign LanguageTransportationTelecommunicationsSales and MarketingPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyProduction and ProcessingPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
ACD Systems CanvasAdobe AcrobatAdobe PhotoshopAlara CRystalViewAquifer test softwareAtoll GeoCADAutodesk AutoCADBOSS DidgerBentley Systems gINTBilkoChemStatClover Technology GALENACompass softwareCrystalMakerData logger softwareData mining softwareEPIC GISERDAS ER MapperESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcInfoESRI ArcViewEarthSoft EQuIS GeologyEarthWorks Downhole ExplorerEarthworks MaxiPitEasySolve Software SizePermEmail softwareEnigma softwareEvolution Computing EasyCADEvolution Computing FastCADField data recorder softwareGemcom GEMSGemcom SurpacGeo-Logic Systems LithoTect InterpreterGeoModelGeoPLUS PetraGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGeographic resources analysis support system GRASSGeomechanical design analysis GDA software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard field equipment (Brunton compass, GPS, rock hammers) — use confidently on a mapping traverse with a senior geologist.Outcrop and core descriptions — log to the team's lithology code under direct supervision.Geologic maps and stratigraphic columns — read and orient on an unfamiliar area with mentorship.Sample collection (rock, soil, water) — obtain with documented chain of custody on a Phase II site.Field-safety protocols (heat, terrain, drilling) — apply consistently on assigned site visits.GIS basics in ArcGIS or QGIS — import, project, and view layers under a supervisor's review.Lab analyses (XRD, XRF, thin sections) — prepare samples and interpret per a defined SOP.Routine well-log displays — read with a senior interpreter on a producing field.Permitting paperwork (state, BLM, USFS) — assemble and submit under a project lead's review.Daily field notes and digital photo logs — maintain to project standards.
developing
Independent field-mapping projects — execute at 1:24,000 across a defined quad with light supervision.Seismic and well-log interpretation — produce structural and stratigraphic sections on a familiar play.Environmental site assessments (Phase I + Phase II) — lead routine engagements for a consulting firm.Geochemical sampling programs — design and execute for exploration or remediation projects.Hazard and risk reports — author for landslide, seismic, or flooding studies in a state context.Junior geologists and field technicians — train on safety, sampling, and logging.Permits and agency consultations — prepare for routine projects under a PM's review.Quantitative analyses (GIS overlays, basin modeling) — produce for project teams.Project budgets and field schedules — manage at the task level for $50K–$500K engagements.Conference talks (AAPG, GSA) — present technical case studies.
proficient
Complex field and subsurface programs — design and lead across geographies and regulatory regimes.Resource and reserve assessments — conduct to SEC, NI 43-101, or PRMS standards.Multi-disciplinary teams (geology, geophysics, engineering) — lead through integrated interpretations.Major regulatory submissions — author for federal- or state-lead programs with agency interlocutors.Senior geologists and analysts — supervise across multi-project portfolios.Client presentations and technical-due-diligence reports — deliver on multi-million-dollar engagements.Funded research grants and contracts — win at the principal-investigator level.Peer-reviewed publications and authored chapters — lead in disciplinary journals.External technical reviews and second-opinion engagements — deliver with rigor and defensible scope.Standards bodies (ASTM, SPE, GSA) — contribute through committee work.
advanced
Strategic direction for a geosciences practice or division — set across services, geography, and people.National-scale hazard or resource programs — lead with agencies, legislators, and the public.Major capital and acquisition decisions — advise at the executive level with defensible technical risk profiles.Disciplinary norms and policy positions — advance through society leadership and government advisory roles.Talent development across the geosciences pipeline — own recruitment, retention, and promotion.International standards and reporting frameworks — shape through committee leadership.Crisis response (earthquakes, volcanic, environmental disasters) — command across coordinating agencies.Major awards, board roles, and editorial leadership — hold consistent with sustained field-shaping work.Industry–academia bridges and applied-research consortia — architect at scale.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through training and certification.
Also known as
50 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Consultant GeologistCore Analysis OperatorCore AnalystCrystallographerDevelopment GeologistEngineering GeologistEnvironmental EngineerEnvironmental GeologistEnvironmental Protection GeologistExploration GeologistField GeologistGeochemistGeodesistGeological ScoutGeological SpecialistGeologistGeomagnetistGeomorphologistGeophysical ProspectorGeophysicistGeoscientistInvertebrate PaleontologistMarine GeologistMicro PaleontologistMine GeologistMineralogistMining Production GeologistMud Logging Data AnalystMud Logging Data EngineerOceanographerOceanologistOperations GeologistPaleontologistPetrographerPetroleum GeologistPetrologistPetrophysicistProject GeologistProject GeophysicistProspector