Hydrologists
Median wage · national
$96,600
Range: $77K – $123K
Employed
6K
Openings/yr
500
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Geoscientist
With a national median of $101,920 and +3.2% projected job growth through 2034, Geoscientist offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Geoscientist
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, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
- Median Wage
- $101,920
- Employed Nationally
- 23K
- Openings / Year
- 2,000
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Consultant Geologist
Core Analysis Operator
Core Analyst
Crystallographer
Development Geologist
How Much Do Geoscientists Make?
Geoscientist earn $101,920 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,110 and $139,380. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$101,920
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$75K–$139K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$75,110
Entry-level
$101,920
Median
$139,380
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $116,150, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Geoscientists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Geoscientist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
- 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.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Science
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Geoscientists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Geoscientists?
The BLS projects +3.2% employment change for Geoscientist through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 2,000 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.2%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
2,000
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
23K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Geoscientist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $101,920 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 3,620 | $155,330 | +52.4% |
| 2 | California | 3,150 | $111,400 | +9.3% |
| 3 | Colorado | 1,420 | $99,900 | -2.0% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 910 | $128,240 | +25.8% |
| 5 | Washington | 840 | $99,780 | -2.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Geoscientist positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geosciences | 7,691 | $60,190 | 592 |
| 2 | Marine Sciences | 436 | $52,667 | 40 |
| 3 | Environmental Geosciences | 102 | — | 15 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Geoscientists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Geoscientist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Geoscientist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Geoscientist Pros & Cons
The data on Geoscientist shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $101,920 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $139,380 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Extensive preparation before reaching full earning potential This is a Job Zone 5 occupation, extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $101,920 median while building the experience employers require.
Geoscientist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Geoscientist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Geoscientist is $101,920, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,110 and $139,380. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Geoscientist a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $101,920 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +3.2% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Geoscientist?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Geosciences are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $101,920 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Geoscientist?
The BLS projects +3.2% employment change for Geoscientist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 2,000 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 23K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Geoscientist salaries vary so widely?
The $64,270 gap between the 25th ($75,110) and 75th ($139,380) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Geoscientist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Geoscientist roles: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking, and Complex Problem Solving. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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