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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Also called: Geologist, Mine Geologist, Project Geologist, Research Geologist

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.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$101,920
Openings a year BLS, 2025–351,800
Typical education to start BLSBachelor's degree
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 High
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 +5.1%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 22 of its 32 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 5.1% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 2.0% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers”
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 58% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 84% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$62k$145knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$88,610$63,130 to $106,200110
Alaska$107,410$89,400 to $136,700430
Arizona$85,190$63,330 to $105,010550
Arkansas$67,880$61,330 to $91,90070
California$106,500$73,850 to $138,1203,350
Colorado$114,410$82,360 to $162,4501,480
Connecticut$61,810$61,160 to $64,550not published
Delaware$93,640$92,240 to $94,850110
Florida$95,140$69,220 to $119,990660
Georgia$73,920$61,570 to $102,270340
Hawaii$106,270$83,070 to $121,010110
Idaho$91,170$81,940 to $119,430130
Illinois$96,950$74,390 to $149,030410
Indiana$68,240$56,020 to $89,550270
Iowa$74,460$63,500 to $89,67040
Kansas$80,080$63,690 to $105,680190
Kentucky$77,510$58,230 to $99,100170
Louisiana$91,560$60,780 to $131,400440
Maine$86,840$79,350 to $99,71070
Maryland$110,510$73,930 to $143,240390
Massachusetts$108,210$80,940 to $177,130420
Michigan$80,990$66,130 to $95,650320
Minnesota$80,540$62,220 to $111,220240
Mississippi$112,400$91,560 to $136,990250
Missouri$83,390$67,070 to $108,830260
Montana$75,520$68,900 to $99,270210
Nebraska$85,550$65,510 to $98,450110
Nevada$99,890$83,740 to $128,340520
New Hampshire$101,150$72,620 to $109,470not published
New Jersey$88,500$70,430 to $100,720300
New Mexico$88,530$72,690 to $103,380160
New York$86,410$72,020 to $109,270600
North Carolina$95,260$71,170 to $125,220570
North Dakota$84,070$63,560 to $105,200100
Ohio$81,220$60,820 to $100,860410
Oklahoma$119,990$86,970 to $161,860770
Oregon$98,110$80,400 to $116,410380
Pennsylvania$84,180$68,970 to $109,990910
Rhode Island$121,010$96,470 to $142,480not published
South Carolina$86,070$63,430 to $123,090230
South Dakota$71,150$64,990 to $75,99080
Tennessee$77,870$63,790 to $100,340230
Texas$145,220$83,280 to $223,8504,900
Utah$89,990$81,010 to $110,660300
Vermont$87,070$67,030 to $121,850not published
Virginia$88,390$71,640 to $127,770300
Washington$105,020$83,450 to $136,470840
West Virginia$76,060$61,180 to $100,42090
Wisconsin$78,610$67,670 to $100,440110
Wyoming$74,910$55,650 to $98,480220

Nationally: $101,920. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 22 of its 32 tasks

10 · AI alone could halve the time 12 · AI + software built on it could 10 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
AI + software Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports. Not published
AI alone Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities. Not published
Not much 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. Not published
AI + software Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research. Not published
Not much Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software. Not published
Not much 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. Not published
See all 32 tasks
Not much Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos. under 0.01%
AI + software Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results. Not published
AI + software Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy. under 0.01%
AI + software Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. Not published
AI alone Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models. Not published
AI alone Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management. Not published
AI + software 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. Not published
AI alone Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination. Not published
AI alone Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects. Not published
AI + software Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation. Not published
Not much Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers. Not published
Not much Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications. Not published
AI + software Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews. Not published
Not much Locate potential sources of geothermal energy. Not published
Not much Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects. Not published
AI + software Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems. Not published
AI + software Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data. under 0.01%
AI + software Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes. Not published
AI + software Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management. Not published
Not much Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery. Not published
Not much Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments. Not published
AI alone Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects. Not published
AI alone Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion. Not published
AI alone Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation. Not published
AI alone Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes. Not published
AI alone Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 3 of the 32 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 32 tasks fall under 23 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up22 of 32 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most6 of 23 activities
  • #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
  • #14 Create visual designs or displays
  • #20 Present research or technical information
  • and 3 more, in the table below
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Analyze environmental or geospatial data 2.20#193 0.49#208
Research issues related to earth sciences 18#59 1.78#134
Determine operational methods or procedures 45#37 22#46
Analyze data to improve operations 3.31#159 1.09#162
Create visual designs or displays 127#14 54#27
Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance 22#53 12#64
Monitor environmental conditions 2.85#171 0.80#173
Inspect facilities or equipment 2.73#174 0.73#181
Show all 23 activities
Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise 408#4 247#8
Present research or technical information 100#20 339#6
Research technology designs or applications 67#27 4.96#91
Gather data about operational or development activities 40#44 3.75#103
Teach academic or vocational subjects 22#54 143#14
Design computer or information systems or applications 11#87 2.42#122
Communicate environmental or sustainability information 8.58#99 25#42
Develop research plans or methodologies 4.23#139 1.03#168
Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance 3.59#153 0.73#180
Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practices 1.38#219 5.30#83
Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities 1.35#221 0.38#222
Direct scientific or technical activities 1.24#227 1.58#137
Advise others on workplace health or safety issues 0.74#252 5.54#82
Develop sustainable organizational or business policies or practices 0.72#254 0.33#231
Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources 0.40#278 0.20#241
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
Where the two sources differ: “Analyze environmental or geospatial data” holds 3 tasks rated AI + software, yet people asked AI for help with it in 2.20 of every 10,000 conversations, #193 of 332.

How people in this work use Claude

What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations

  • An explanation or answer31%
  • A document or report16%
  • An analysis or summary15%
  • A chart or visualization10%
  • A script or snippet9%

How they worked with Claude

48% handed the task off52% worked on it together

47% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.

How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers: +5.1%Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers: +5.1%Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 4,821 moves out

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 13%
  2. 2 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 6%
  3. 3 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 5%
  4. 4 Chief Executives Very high +3.2% 4%
  5. 5 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 3%

Where people moved in from

of 7,063 moves in

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 11%
  2. 2 Operations Research Analysts Very high +11.9% 5%
  3. 3 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 4%
  4. 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 4%
  5. 5 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 4%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

O*NET survey of workers in this occupation

  • 48% bachelor's
  • 4% post-bachelor's certificate
  • 37% master's
  • 7% research doctorate
  • 4% post-doctoral training

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 27 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 44% bachelor's
  • 42% master's
  • 4% professional degree
  • 10% doctorate

Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers” · 528 people surveyed.

Why the two can differ

O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers”

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
12 programs, such as Marine Sciences, Earth Systems Science and Environmental Geosciences.
See all
  • Marine Sciences
  • Earth Systems Science
  • Environmental Geosciences
  • Geoarcheaology
  • Geobiology
  • Geology/Earth Science, General
  • Geochemistry
  • Geophysics and Seismology
  • Paleontology
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
  • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

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