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Role hub · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Geologist: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

The work, the skills that matter, the tools in demand and the pay range, from U.S. government data, plus every TryHired page for the role.

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Updated Oct 24, 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · O*NET 31.0
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Median percentile pay

Half of geologists earn more than this and half earn less.

Annual
$101,920
Hourly
$49.00
Source
BLS May 2025
Quick answer

Geologists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. The median pay is $101,920 a year ($49.00 an hour) (BLS, May 2025). The most commonly reported education requirement is a bachelor's degree (48% of workers surveyed by O*NET).

Median pay
$101,920
BLS May 2025
Employed in the U.S.
23,470
BLS May 2025
Preparation
Job Zone 4 of 5
considerable preparation
Most common education
Bachelor's Degree
48% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (O*NET-SOC 19-2042.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

Explore the role

Every page for Geologists

SalaryGeologist salary

Pay by percentile, state and metro, with a negotiation script.

Open →Career changeGeologist career change

Where these skills transfer, with skill match and pay change.

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The work

What geologists do day to day

Data Core tasks rated most important by workers in the role (O*NET).

  1. Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
  2. Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
  3. 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.
  4. Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
  5. Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
  6. 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.
  7. Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
  8. Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
Skills that matter

Ranked by importance to the job

Data O*NET importance ratings. The first three are core.

Reading ComprehensioncoreSciencecoreWritingcoreSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningMathematics

Knowledge areas: Geography, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Computers and Electronics.

Tools and technology

Software geologists use

Data Examples reported for the role; employer demand flags from O*NET.

  • Autodesk AutoCADComputer aided design CAD softwareIn demand
  • ESRI ArcGIS softwareGeographic information systemIn demand
  • GitFile versioning softwareIn demand
  • Geographic information system GIS systemsGeographic information systemIn demand
  • Adobe PhotoshopGraphics or photo imaging softwareHot technology
  • SASAnalytical or scientific softwareHot technology
  • The MathWorks MATLABAnalytical or scientific softwareHot technology
  • ACD Systems CanvasGraphics or photo imaging software
  • Alara CRystalViewAnalytical or scientific software
  • Aquifer test softwareAnalytical or scientific software
  • Atoll GeoCADComputer aided design CAD software
  • BOSS DidgerData conversion software

Also called: Geoscientist, Engineering Geologist, Environmental Protection Geologist, Exploration Geologist, Mine Geologist.

Method

How this page is built

Tasks, skills, tools, education and related roles come from O*NET 31.0. Pay and employment come from the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimates. The skill-match score is our calculation: Skill match is the correlation between the two occupations' skill profiles: for each of 35 O*NET skills (10 essential, 25 transferable) we multiply importance by level, subtract the average across all occupations, and correlate the two profiles. 100 means identical shape; 0 or below means unrelated. Only occupations that O*NET itself lists as related are compared.

What this page can't tell you
  • How a specific employer defines the job.
  • Pay for self-employed workers (OEWS covers employees).
  • Your own chances: data describes the occupation, not you.
Sources
  1. O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).