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.
- O*NET-SOC code
19-2042.00 - Preparation Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$101,920
Employment, U.S.23,470
Median hourly wage$49.00
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,330 | $75,110 | $101,920 | $139,380 | $200,230 |
By state (50)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 110 | $88,610 | 0.34 |
| Alaska | 430 | $107,410 | 8.78 |
| Arizona | 550 | $85,190 | 1.13 |
| Arkansas | 70 | $67,880 | 0.36 |
| California | 3,350 | $106,500 | 1.22 |
| Colorado | 1,480 | $114,410 | 3.42 |
| Connecticut | $61,810 | ||
| Delaware | 110 | $93,640 | 1.57 |
| Florida | 660 | $95,140 | 0.44 |
| Georgia | 340 | $73,920 | 0.46 |
| Hawaii | 110 | $106,270 | 1.14 |
| Idaho | 130 | $91,170 | 0.98 |
| Illinois | 410 | $96,950 | 0.44 |
| Indiana | 270 | $68,240 | 0.56 |
| Iowa | 40 | $74,460 | 0.17 |
| Kansas | 190 | $80,080 | 0.87 |
| Kentucky | 170 | $77,510 | 0.56 |
| Louisiana | 440 | $91,560 | 1.51 |
| Maine | 70 | $86,840 | 0.67 |
| Maryland | 390 | $110,510 | 0.93 |
| Massachusetts | 420 | $108,210 | 0.77 |
| Michigan | 320 | $80,990 | 0.49 |
| Minnesota | 240 | $80,540 | 0.54 |
| Mississippi | 250 | $112,400 | 1.41 |
| Missouri | 260 | $83,390 | 0.58 |
| Montana | 210 | $75,520 | 2.68 |
| Nebraska | 110 | $85,550 | 0.71 |
| Nevada | 520 | $99,890 | 2.21 |
| New Hampshire | $101,150 | ||
| New Jersey | 300 | $88,500 | 0.47 |
| New Mexico | 160 | $88,530 | 1.24 |
| New York | 600 | $86,410 | 0.41 |
| North Carolina | 570 | $95,260 | 0.76 |
| North Dakota | 100 | $84,070 | 1.52 |
| Ohio | 410 | $81,220 | 0.49 |
| Oklahoma | 770 | $119,990 | 2.99 |
| Oregon | 380 | $98,110 | 1.27 |
| Pennsylvania | 910 | $84,180 | 1.00 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | ||
| South Carolina | 230 | $86,070 | 0.65 |
| South Dakota | 80 | $71,150 | 1.17 |
| Tennessee | 230 | $77,870 | 0.47 |
| Texas | 4,900 | $145,220 | 2.31 |
| Utah | 300 | $89,990 | 1.14 |
| Vermont | $87,070 | ||
| Virginia | 300 | $88,390 | 0.48 |
| Washington | 840 | $105,020 | 1.57 |
| West Virginia | 90 | $76,060 | 0.87 |
| Wisconsin | 110 | $78,610 | 0.25 |
| Wyoming | 220 | $74,910 | 5.13 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hydrologists | 4 | 0.983 |
| 2 | Soil and Plant Scientists | 5 | 0.971 |
| 3 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 4 | 0.969 |
| 4 | Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 4 | 0.969 |
| 5 | Industrial Ecologists | 5 | 0.964 |
| 6 | Environmental Restoration Planners | 5 | 0.959 |
| 7 | Conservation Scientists | 4 | 0.957 |
| 8 | Water Resource Specialists | 4 | 0.954 |
| 9 | Geodetic Surveyors | 4 | 0.952 |
| 10 | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 5 | 0.952 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geodetic Surveyors | Mathematics | 0.76 | 0.952 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | Operations Monitoring | 0.76 | 0.946 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | Quality Control Analysis | 1.76 | 0.932 |
| Agricultural Engineers | Operations Monitoring | 1.00 | 0.931 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, excluding software Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Software development tools | 6 of 20 | 10.3x |
| R | 9 of 20 | 4.1x |
| Global positioning system GPS software | 6 of 20 | 8.1x |
| HEC-RAS | 4 of 20 | 20.5x |
| C++ | 9 of 20 | 3.8x |
| Linux | 9 of 20 | 3.4x |
| Oracle Java | 8 of 20 | 3.7x |
| HEC-HMS | 3 of 20 | 27.7x |
| Structure query language SQL | 4 of 20 | 8.8x |
| STATISTICA | 3 of 20 | 11.5x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 4.25 | 5.12 |
| Science | Essential skill | 4.25 | 4.75 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.38 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.50 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.75 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 2.25 | not rated |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.62 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.50 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Geography | 4.16 | 6.22 |
| Mathematics | 4.12 | 5.07 |
| Chemistry | 4.00 | 4.81 |
| English Language | 3.88 | 4.89 |
| Physics | 3.88 | 4.74 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.54 | 4.56 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.46 | 4.58 |
| Education and Training | 3.31 | 4.59 |
| Administration and Management | 2.85 | 3.81 |
| Biology | 2.84 | 4.04 |
| Law and Government | 2.81 | 3.44 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.80 | 3.22 |
| Communications and Media | 2.79 | 3.15 |
| Design | 2.58 | 3.48 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.44 | 3.19 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.40 | 3.00 |
| Mechanical | 2.31 | 3.11 |
| History and Archeology | 2.23 | 3.30 |
| Building and Construction | 2.23 | 2.59 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.19 | 2.15 |
| Foreign Language | 2.16 | 2.44 |
| Administrative | 2.12 | 2.63 |
| Transportation | 2.12 | 2.11 |
| Production and Processing | 2.08 | 2.07 |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.85 | 2.07 |
| Telecommunications | 1.80 | 1.52 |
| Psychology | 1.62 | 1.63 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.58 | 1.41 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.27 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.24 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.23 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.15 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.04 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Inductive Reasoning | 4.25 | 4.75 |
| Written Comprehension | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Written Expression | 4.12 | 4.38 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 5.12 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Information Ordering | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Near Vision | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.62 | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.38 | 3.88 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Number Facility | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Far Vision | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Originality | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Visualization | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Memorization | 2.38 | 2.50 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Control Precision | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Time Sharing | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.12 | 1.50 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.12 | 1.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | 2.12 | 1.25 |
| Depth Perception | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Finger Dexterity | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.00 | 1.12 |
| Response Orientation | 2.00 | 1.12 |
| Static Strength | 2.00 | 1.12 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Rate Control | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Reaction Time | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Stamina | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Night Vision | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Sound Localization | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.12 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.12 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Autodesk AutoCAD in demand
- ESRI ArcGIS software in demand
- Git in demand
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint in demand
- Microsoft Word in demand
- Python in demand
- Geographic information system GIS systems in demand
- Adobe Acrobat hot
- Adobe Photoshop hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP hot
- Microsoft Project hot
- MySQL hot
- SAS hot
- The MathWorks MATLAB hot
- ACD Systems Canvas
- Alara CRystalView
- Aquifer test software
- Atoll GeoCAD
- BOSS Didger
- Bentley Systems gINT
- Bilko
- ChemStat
- Clover Technology GALENA
- Compass software
- CrystalMaker
- Data logger software
All 140
- Data mining software
- EPIC GIS
- ERDAS ER Mapper
- ESRI ArcIMS
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcView
- EarthSoft EQuIS Geology
- EarthWorks Downhole Explorer
- Earthworks MaxiPit
- EasySolve Software SizePerm
- Email software
- Enigma software
- Evolution Computing EasyCAD
- Evolution Computing FastCAD
- Field data recorder software
- Gemcom GEMS
- Gemcom Surpac
- Geo-Logic Systems LithoTect Interpreter
- GeoModel
- GeoPLUS Petra
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Geosoft DAP server
- Geosoft Oasis montaj
- Geospatial data abstraction library GDAL
- Geostatistical modeling GSTAT software
- Geostatistics software GS+
- Golden Software Surfer
- Gresens 92
- Groundwater Vistas
- Groundwater modeling system GMS
- HydroSOLVE AQTESOLV
- Hydrogeology Basin2
- IHS Energy PowerTools
- IRIS Seismic Processing Workshop
- Intergraph ImageStation Stereo Softcopy Kit SSK
- Interpex IXID
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- Landmark Graphics GeoGraphix
- Landmark VIP
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- MHC Document Express
- MICRODEM
- MIT OASES
- MJ Systems Logsleuth
- MapInfo Professional
- Mapping software
- Maptek Vulcan
- Midland Valley 3DMove
- MineGeo software
- MineSight
- Multivariate statistical program MVSP software
- National Geophysical Data Center GEODAS
- OpenOffice.org
- OriginLab Origin
- PaleoMag
- PaleoTax
- Paleontological Statistics PAST
- Paradigm SKUA-GOCAD
- Parameter Estimation PEST
- PolyMap
- PowerCAD
- RSI ENVI
- RSI interactive data language IDL software
- Red Rock DeltaGraph
- RockWare ChemFlux
- RockWare DepthCon2000
- RockWare Erupt
- RockWare FIRSTPIX
- RockWare GRADIX
- RockWare GeoTrig
- RockWare Geochemist's Workbench GWB
- RockWare Grav2Dc
- RockWare Jlog
- RockWare MicroMODEL
- RockWare Plan
- RockWare Potent
- RockWare QuickSyn
- RockWare RockPack III
- RockWare RockWorks
- RockWare Stratbugs
- RockWare VEGO
- RockWare Visual STUNT
- RockWare WinSism
- Rockware CrossLog
- SACLANTCEN
- Schlumberger Inside Reality
- Scientific Software Group FEFLOW
- Scientific Software Group Infinite Extent
- Scientific Software Group SVHeat
- SeeByte SeeTrack
- Seismic Micro-Technology KINGDOM
- Seismic interpretation software
- Seismic visualization software
- Shape software
- Socorro Scientific Software Refract2K
- Solvcalv
- Starpint Software Super Slug
- StrainSim
- Systat Software SigmaStat
- TECHBASE
- Terrain surface mapping software
- Trimble Terramodel
- Triton Elics International SeaClass
- Upperspace DesignCAD
- Upperspace ModelCAD
- Waterloo Hydrogeologic AquaChem
- Waterloo Hydrogeologic FlowPath II
- Well logging software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | 370 | 20.14 | $219,140 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | 170 | 7.02 | $122,100 |
| Anchorage, AK | 170 | 6.18 | $111,290 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 490 | 4.82 | $119,990 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 2,380 | 4.79 | $174,490 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 1,020 | 4.21 | $120,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 490 | 2.99 | $119,950 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 490 | 2.50 | $92,930 |
| Reno, NV | 100 | 2.32 | $94,610 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 110 | 2.31 | $80,660 |