Geologist job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

16

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

considerable preparation

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$101,920

BLS May 2025

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.

1. Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports. importance 4.4 of 5
2. Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities. importance 4.3 of 5
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. importance 4.3 of 5
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. importance 4.3 of 5
5. Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software. importance 4.2 of 5
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. importance 4.2 of 5
7. Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos. importance 4.2 of 5
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. importance 4.1 of 5
9. Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models. importance 4.0 of 5
10. Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination. importance 4.0 of 5
11. Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites. importance 3.9 of 5
12. Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. importance 3.8 of 5
13. Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management. importance 3.8 of 5
14. Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects. importance 3.6 of 5
15. Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation. importance 3.6 of 5
16. Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers. importance 3.6 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Working with Computers, Analyzing Data or Information, Getting Information, Making Decisions and Solving Problems and Documenting/Recording Information.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
• Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
• Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.
• Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
• Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
• Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.

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

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Autodesk AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS software, Git, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists no typical on-the-job training once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 4 of 5 (considerable preparation). A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a geologist.

The most common answer among O*NET's occupation experts for this occupation is a bachelor's degree (48%).

Job title: Geologist
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Geologist to study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

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

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a bachelor's degree as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in reading comprehension, science and writing
- Working knowledge of Geography and Mathematics
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Autodesk AutoCAD or ESRI ArcGIS software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $101,920 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $49.00. BLS estimates about 23,470 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of geologists to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,800 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full geologist salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real geologist posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only geologist work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (reading comprehension and science).