Geologist
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$83,000/yr
Typical range
$60,000 – $115,000
Education
Bachelor's degree
Time to entry
About 4 years
What a Geologist does
Studies the Earth's structure, composition, and processes by examining rocks, minerals, and geological formations in the field and laboratory.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a bachelor's degree. About 4 years.
Estimated cost of that path: ~$40,000. Estimated payback: ~2 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- AI Research Scientist — $165,000/yr
- Environmental Compliance Specialist — $72,000/yr
- Biochemist — $102,000/yr
- Clinical Research Associate — $80,000/yr
- Environmental Scientist — $73,000/yr
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