Careers

At no point in the past 60 years has there been such a sustainable demand for geologists, and geoscience-related occupations are expected to grow much faster than the average growth of all U.S. occupations. This involves three distinct employer groups: the energy and natural resources sector (mostly petroleum and mining), the environment sector (mostly groundwater and hazards) and the government sector (research and regulatory agencies).

The demand for new geologists exceeds the number of geology graduates available.The demand for geologists is reflected in salary offers. The petroleum industry is leading the way, with annual salaries often exceeding $100,000. The mean annual wage for all geoscientists is approximately $82,500. Job opportunities, salaries and opportunities for advancement are significantly enhanced with a Master of Science degree. Completing a master’s degree immediately after a bachelor’s degree typically takes 24 months as a paid graduate teaching assistant.