Job and Salary OUTLOOK
The employment outlook in the geosciences -- as in any profession -- varies with the economic climate of the country. The
long-range outlook is good at this time. Dwindling energy, mineral, and water resources along with increasing concerns about
the environment and natural hazards present new challenges to geoscientists.
According to the National Science Foundation, about 125,000 geoscientists work in the United States. Most geoscientists
are employed by industries related to oil and gas, mining and minerals and water resources.
Many geoscientists are self-employed as geological consultants or work with consulting firms. Most consulting geologists
have had extensive professional experience in industry, teaching, or research.
Also, many geoscientists work for the federal government or a state government agency. The U.S. Geological Survey (Department
of the Interior), Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state geological surveys, and state departments
of environment and resources all employ geoscientists.
Salary scales vary from employer to employer depending on the career path, location, qualifications of the geoscientist,
and, of course, the economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in the geosciences are expected to grow by 22 percent between 2006
and 2016. This is a much faster increase in employment tha the average for all occupations. Geoscientists with Master's degrees
are expected to have the most employment opportunites of all degreed geoscientists.
Salary estimates released by BLS for 2008 indicated that the mean annual salary for geoscientists was $89,300. Geoscientists
in the petroleum and mining industries earned the highest salaries ($95,200 - $130,620) and those in state government earned
the least ($59,830). Geoscientist faculty earned a mean annual salary of $74,770 in 2008. Additionally, according to the National
Association of Colleges and Employers, average starting salaries for college graduates with geoscience bachelor's degrees
were $40,786 in 2007.
Information obtained from http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/brochure.html
