Geologist

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Work Tasks

• Find out how land shapes were made and what has happened to them over time
• Look at the chemical and physical traits of rocks and do experiments with them
• Use data and information to help in the building of dams, tunnels, and highways
• Work in the field, office, or lab and travel to places they study
• Work for engineering and management services, oil, gas, and mining companies, colleges, the government, or as consultants
• Work with maps, surveys, photographs, satellite data, rock samples, fossils, gravity meters, cameras, seismographs, lab equipment, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $82,000 average per year ($39.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (30,800 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in geology
• Employers Prefer: A Ph.D. degree
• Skills/Courses: College courses in geology, biology, chemistry, math, physics, computer science, computer modeling, data analysis and integration, digital mapping, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Certification/Licensing: A license may be needed.