Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers does

Study Earth's rocks, minerals, and structures to locate natural resources, assess environmental hazards, or understand geological processes. They conduct fieldwork and lab analysis to solve problems in mining, oil, or environmental management.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr