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The Pay Scale of a Geologist

by Lisa Dorward

Geologists study the history of the planet to predict its future.

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A geologist is a broad professional title within the geosciences. Generally speaking, geologists study the materials that make up the Earth, the processes acting upon the Earth, the organisms that have inhabited the Earth and how all these things have changed over time. Geologists are employed in many sectors, such as environmental consulting companies, governmental agencies, engineering firms and nonprofit organizations, as well as colleges and universities. Salaries vary widely among sectors. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for entry level positions, but most jobs require postgraduate degrees.

National Averages

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2011 salary data, the median annual salary for geologists in all sectors and geographic locations in the United States is $84,470, with the bottom 10 percentile making $45,940 and the top 10 percentile making $170,510. The states paying the highest average salaries are Oklahoma, at $142,310; Texas, at $130,200; Alaska, at $104,360; Colorado, at $103,730; and Massachusetts, at $100,290.

Petroleum Geologists

The highest salaries for geologists are in the petroleum and mineral resource industries. According to the 2012-2013 Edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, geologists employed in the oil and gas extraction industry have an average annual salary of $125,350. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists' 2010 salary survey revealed that salary levels have increased about 7.9 percent over the previous year. According to the AAPG, petroleum geologists with less than two years of experience have an average salary of $93,000; for six to nine years of experience, it jumps to $127,800; for 15 to 20 years, the average is $151,100; and for more than 25 years, the low end of the pay scale is $148,000 while the high end tops a whopping $600,000.

Work» Career Advice» Salary and Compensation»

The Pay Scale of a Geologist

by Lisa Dorward

Geologists study the history of the planet to predict its future.

Related Articles

1

The Top Paid Ph.D. Careers

2

How Much Does a Volcanologist Earn?

3

Jobs With a Physics Degree

4

The Average Oceanographer Salary With a Doctor's Degree

A geologist is a broad professional title within the geosciences. Generally speaking, geologists study the materials that make up the Earth, the processes acting upon the Earth, the organisms that have inhabited the Earth and how all these things have changed over time. Geologists are employed in many sectors, such as environmental consulting companies, governmental agencies, engineering firms and nonprofit organizations, as well as colleges and universities. Salaries vary widely among sectors. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for entry level positions, but most jobs require postgraduate degrees.

National Averages

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2011 salary data, the median annual salary for geologists in all sectors and geographic locations in the United States is $84,470, with the bottom 10 percentile making $45,940 and the top 10 percentile making $170,510. The states paying the highest average salaries are Oklahoma, at $142,310; Texas, at $130,200; Alaska, at $104,360; Colorado, at $103,730; and Massachusetts, at $100,290.

Petroleum Geologists

The highest salaries for geologists are in the petroleum and mineral resource industries. According to the 2012-2013 Edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, geologists employed in the oil and gas extraction industry have an average annual salary of $125,350. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists' 2010 salary survey revealed that salary levels have increased about 7.9 percent over the previous year. According to the AAPG, petroleum geologists with less than two years of experience have an average salary of $93,000; for six to nine years of experience, it jumps to $127,800; for 15 to 20 years, the average is $151,100; and for more than 25 years, the low end of the pay scale is $148,000 while the high end tops a whopping $600,000.

Environmental Geologists

Environmental geologists work primarily in the government sector and for private sector consulting firms, including architectural and engineering services and scientific and technical consulting companies. The number of environmental geologists has been growing steadily for more than a decade, driven by concerns over climate change and increased environmental regulations. Although numbers are on the rise and employment is more stable for environmental geologists than it is for petroleum geologists, the pay averages about 10 to 40 percent less. According to the BLS, geologists working for federal government agencies had an annual mean wage of $96,170 in 2011, while state agencies paid only $63,910.

Academia

Geologists with a Ph.D. can teach geology at colleges and universities. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for a college professor of geology is $83,140, with the bottom 10 percentile making $42,590 and the top 10 percentile making $152,270. Colleges and universities pay an average of $92,850, while community colleges pay an average of $87,200. The top-paying states for geology professors are New York, at $112,500; California, at $110,310; Rhode Island, at $107,650; Massachusetts, at $104,430; and New Jersey at $101,150.

In India, the starting salary of the Geologist arises between Rs. 2.5 Lakh to Rs. 3.5 Lacs per annum in both private and public sector. The salary will be on their proficiency, designation in that particular area. In Government area, Geologist can earn handsome salary package of around Rs. 9.5 lakh per year. In abroad, the median salary for Geologist is $91,920.

Top Recruiters:

Geological Survey of India (GSI)

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC)

Hindustan Zinc Ltd

Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC)

Coal India

Mineral Exploration Ltd.

Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

Experience strongly influences income for this job. Most people move on to other jobs if they have more than 20 years' experience in this career. A skill in Microsoft Word is associated with high pay for this job.

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