Life As a Geoscientist
Career Description 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, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Life As a Geoscientist: What Do They Do?
- Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
- Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
- Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
- Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
- Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.
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Skills Needed to be a Geoscientist
When polled, Geoscientists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Environmental Geologist
- Geophysical Prospector
- Crystallographer
- Geodesist
- Environmental Protection Geologist
Job Opportunities for Geoscientists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 32,000 jobs in the United States for Geoscientist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Geoscientist by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,500 positions for Geoscientist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Geoscientist are Tennessee, Colorado, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Vermont, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Geoscientists Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Geoscientists is somewhere between $49,430 and $187,990.
Geoscientists who work in Texas, Oklahoma, or Louisiana, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Geoscientists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,970 |
| Alaska | $99,400 |
| Arizona | $77,650 |
| Arkansas | $67,260 |
| California | $97,550 |
| Colorado | $111,130 |
| Connecticut | $85,250 |
| Delaware | $80,570 |
| Florida | $80,970 |
| Georgia | $68,860 |
| Hawaii | $109,530 |
| Idaho | $88,060 |
| Illinois | $69,480 |
| Indiana | $61,870 |
| Iowa | $71,490 |
| Kansas | $77,590 |
| Kentucky | $73,230 |
| Louisiana | $109,700 |
| Maine | $74,380 |
| Maryland | $90,110 |
| Massachusetts | $87,650 |
| Minnesota | $78,410 |
| Mississippi | $91,490 |
| Missouri | $70,340 |
| Montana | $92,680 |
| Nebraska | $79,570 |
| Nevada | $94,500 |
| New Hampshire | $95,510 |
| New Jersey | $98,050 |
| New Mexico | $86,620 |
| New York | $76,360 |
| North Carolina | $71,830 |
| North Dakota | $97,320 |
| Ohio | $75,600 |
| Oklahoma | $123,230 |
| Oregon | $74,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $108,580 |
| Rhode Island | $88,130 |
| South Carolina | $72,040 |
| South Dakota | $63,680 |
| Tennessee | $77,510 |
| Texas | $150,140 |
| Utah | $80,970 |
| Virginia | $96,290 |
| Washington | $93,710 |
| West Virginia | $77,530 |
| Wisconsin | $75,110 |
| Wyoming | $73,220 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Geoscientists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Geoscientists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Microsoft Outlook
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Geographic information system GIS software
- ESRI ArcView
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
How to Become a Geoscientist
Learn what Geoscientist education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Geoscientists Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Geoscientists employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Geoscientist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Geoscientist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Kelvinsong via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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