Hydrologists
Median wage · national
$96,600
Range: $77K – $123K
Employed
6K
Openings/yr
400
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Geoscientist
With a national median of $101,920 and +5.1% projected job growth through 2035, Geoscientist offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Geoscientist
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a geoscientist: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Geosciences and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
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
- 1,800
- 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?
Most geoscientists take home around $101,920 a year, well above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $75,110 and $139,380, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Worth weighing against how long the training takes. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$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?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
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?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +5.1%, meaning it is growing at about the same pace as everything else, so expect steady demand. Around 1,800 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +5.1%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
About as fast as average.
1,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
23K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
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 | 4,900 | $145,220 | +42.5% |
| 2 | California | 3,350 | $106,500 | +4.5% |
| 3 | Colorado | 1,480 | $114,410 | +12.3% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 910 | $84,180 | -17.4% |
| 5 | Washington | 840 | $105,020 | +3.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a bachelor's degree. The 3 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is a Marine Sciences program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
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
Strong earnings and growing demand make Geoscientist a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.1% growth through 2035, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- 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?
Around $101,920 a year for the typical worker, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,110 and $139,380. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
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 +5.1% through 2035 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 work as Geoscientists?
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?
Employment is projected to change by +5.1% through 2035, about as fast as average compared with other occupations. Around 1,800 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 23K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
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?
Mainly Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking, and Complex Problem Solving. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
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- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
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 106 of 393 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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