What can you do with a degree in Geology?

In 2012, Forbes magazine listed Geology as the 7th most valuable college major with a starting median salary of $45,300, and a mid-career median salary of $83,300. Many positions have much higher starting salaries depending on the field, for example, mining and petroleum industry positions: petroleum engineers have median earnings of $120,000. A recent study from Georgetown University noted that there is virtually no unemployment in the field of geological and geophysical engineering. Most geologists are employed in the western U.S., and in the south-central U.S. (Texas and Oklahoma) where jobs in the petroleum industry dominate. A recent American Geosciences Institute workforce evaluation estimates that by 2021, some 150,000 to 220,000 geoscience jobs will need to be filled. The AGI report notes that at current graduation rates, most of these jobs will not be able to be filled by U.S. citizens.

20+ Geoscience Careers & How Much Geoscientists Make

Graduates in geology may pursue a wide range of careers in the earth sciences and related fields:

• Environmental and Geotechnical consulting firms
• Energy companies such as petroleum exploration firms
• Mining companies and critical mineral resources

• Greenhouse gas sequestration
• Government agencies such as the U.S. Geologic Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, California State Parks, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
• State/local agencies such as the California Geological Survey, Caltrans, Water-Quality Control Board, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, city planning offices, state and federal highway departments
• Non-profit organizations that work to study and protect environmental quality
• Engineering geology to oversee the planning and construction of buildings, bridges, roads, dams, landfills, and tunnels
• Informal educational institutions such as museums
• Technician for science departments in universities or other institutions
• Teach science at the middle & high school levels

• Teach Earth and environmental science at community college (MS degree often required)
• University professorship teaching and conducting research (requires PhD)
• Science writing for online and print media
• Environmental law
• Publishers and producers of science books, magazines, computer software, web material, television shows
• Asbestos consulting and testing labs & asbestos remediation
• Professional Geologist, Certified Hydrogeologist, and/or Certified Engineering Geologist

• Natural hazards like earthquake seismology and volcanology

• Groundwater resources & modeling

• and many more careers that take advantage of the skills you've gained during your education