January 14, 2017

A Day In The Life Of A Geologist

Geology is the study of the Earth. It’s a very broad science that focuses on the processes, materials, and history of our planet. Since the field of geology is so vast, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what a geologist does on a day to day basis. In short, there is no typical day in the life of a geologist.

Geologist tools spread out on maps

What a geologist does will largely depend on what their speciality is. Geologists do so many things – study rocks, research climate change, map glaciers, conduct lab tests, advise on construction projects, teach classes, analyze photographs, create scientific reports, collect data samples, drill wells, and so much more. You can learn more about the different day to day tasks of a geologist on BLS.gov.

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Geologists can find employment opportunities with oil and gas companies, environmental consulting companies, government agencies, non-profits, universities, and construction companies. Regardless of where they work, all geologists are scientists who split their time between offices, laboratories, and field work. They conduct research and travel to remote locations to collect data. It’s a unique job that’s far from boring. Almost every day is different and that’s a good thing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, geologists fall under the geoscientist category. They make an average of $89,700 per year or $43.13 per hour. Currently there are 36,400 geologists employed in this career path and that number is expected to grow by 10% over the next decade. That means it’s a good opportunity for you to get involved in the field of geology.

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If you choose to become a geologist, research the many different career niches in this field. This can help you to determine what type of geologist you want to be and that will determine what a typical day in the life of a geologist will really be like.

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