GeologyPrograms.com

Where do geologists get paid the most?

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, at a $148,760 median. Federal government follows at $116,470, then state government at $86,780, engineering services at $86,620, and consulting at $83,420. That is a gap of more than $65,000 between the top and bottom industries for people who share a job title and often share a degree.

Why is environmental consulting hiring faster than oil and gas?

Because the work is driven by regulation rather than by commodity prices. Environmental scientists and specialists account for about 90,300 jobs with roughly 8,500 openings a year. Geoscientists account for about 25,100 jobs with 2,000. That is more than four times the annual hiring.

Is GIS worth learning if I want to be a geologist?

It is close to non-negotiable. GIS and geospatial programs are the largest category in our database at 855 programs, and that reflects employer demand rather than academic fashion. Cartographers and photogrammetrists show 6 percent projected growth through 2034, the fastest of any occupation we track. The practical argument is about legibility.