Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 38% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.1% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $101,920
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.1%
- Openings a year
- 1,800
- People doing it (2025)
- 25,400
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research issues related to earth sciences
- Present research or technical information
- Research technology designs or applications
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Analyze environmental or geospatial data
- Analyze data to improve operations
- Develop research plans or methodologies
What the work looks like
- Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
- 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.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Soil and plant scientistsGrows with AI, Index 41, +6.7%
- MicrobiologistsGrows with AI, Index 55, +6.2%
- Food scientists and technologistsGrows with AI, Index 61, +6.2%
- Agricultural engineersGrows with AI, Index 66, +6.9%
Also known as: Geologist, Mine Geologist, Project Geologist, Research Geologist, Engineering Geologist, Environmental Protection Geologist, Exploration Geologist, Geoscientist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.