Occupations/19-2042.00
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
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.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
48%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
45%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
30%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Task
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.
- Task
Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Task
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.
These are core tasks from O*NET. The wording didn’t clearly split routine from human, so they are listed without that label.
Core tasks
- 01Plan 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.
- 02Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- 03Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- 04Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- 05Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- 06Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.91
- Degree of automation1.65
- Time sitting3.56
- Originality (ability)3.12
- Conflict situations2.38
- Hands-on objects/tools2.39
- Outdoors / weather3.03
- Disease exposure1.16
- Decision freedom4.22
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.12
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Written Expression4.00
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Category Flexibility4.00
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening3.88
- Writing3.88
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics3.38
- Science4.00
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.25
- Learning Strategies3.12
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 61 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,400 | 88% | 67% | 1 yr $106,421 2 yr — Master's · CIP 40.06 |
Houston Community College Houston, TX · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $4,300 | 100% | 24% | 1 yr $82,440 2 yr $71,015 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $66,153 2 yr $59,485 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $13,200 | 87% | 66% | 1 yr $65,238 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 40.06 |
Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $1,200 | 100% | 39% | 1 yr $57,318 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 40.06 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $53,424 2 yr $51,665 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $49,270 2 yr $53,358 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $6,500 | 25% | 84% | 1 yr $48,823 2 yr $38,289 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $48,432 2 yr — Master's · CIP 40.06 |
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr $42,682 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr — 2 yr $45,918 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,900 | 80% | 73% | 1 yr $44,971 2 yr $40,647 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |