Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May apply geological knowledge to such fields as mining, oil and gas extraction, water supply, civil engineering, or environmental remediation.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May apply geological knowledge to such fields as mining, oil and gas extraction, water supply, civil engineering, or environmental remediation. The role reports a median annual salary of $99,240 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $51,100 and $160,710 and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.51 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Critical Thinking, Science, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £55,518 a year for Physical scientists (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2114). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification Master's degree in geology, applied geology or a related earth science[1]
- 2 · Entrance exam UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination[1]
- 3 · First role Geologist or Assistant Geologist in the Geological Survey of India[1]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- UPSC — Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, Notice 01/2027-GEOL (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Geography
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Biology
A day in the life
Your morning could begin at a drill site in the desert, logging rock core samples and studying sediment layers to advise an energy company on where to drill next. By midday you are using GIS software and seismic data to build 3D models of underground formations, looking for mineral deposits or assessing earthquake risk. Afternoons might involve writing reports for mining permits, presenting geological survey results to environmental regulators, or preparing a lecture for an introductory geology course. The job takes you from remote mountain outcrops to high-tech labs, and the puzzle of reading Earth's four-billion-year story from rocks never gets old.
Illustrative: one typical day. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers do?
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May apply geological knowledge to such fields as mining, oil and gas extraction, water supply, civil engineering, or environmental remediation.
What does a typical day look like in Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
Your morning could begin at a drill site in the desert, logging rock core samples and studying sediment layers to advise an energy company on where to drill next. By midday you are using GIS software and seismic data to build 3D models of underground formations, looking for mineral deposits or assessing earthquake risk.
How much does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn?
The median annual salary for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the US is $99,240. The middle 80% of workers earn between $51,100 and $160,710 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $66,950 and $126,510.
What is the job outlook for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 25,100 workers.
How do I become geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Science, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Writing. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
Our AI-durability model gives Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers a score of 0.51 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.