Online Degrees

Geology Degrees

Salaries For Degrees in Geology

Those who majored in Geology can be employed in a variety of occupations.  It is impossible to say what you personally will do with a degree in Geology, our survey panel picked the following occupations as likely options:

• Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
• Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers (Best salary!)
• Geological and petroleum technicians
• Cartographers and photogrammetrists
• Soil and plant scientists

The median salary for people with a degree in Geology is $70,371.42.  The lifetime value of this degree is approximately $1,639,731.00.

Salaries are highly dependent on individual negotiating skill, experience, your employer, region, and more.  The estimates we show on these pages are just that: estimates.  Your individual experience will likely vary.

Where does this come from?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a unit of the US government, classifies all workers into some 800-odd occupational categories.  We paid a army of freelancers to solicit their view on what type of degree a holder of each type of job would likely have majored in.  For pairs which had a high degree of consensus, we created a link between the degree and the job.

From this, we calculated the average salary for Geology degrees and converted it into a lifetime value.  We then compared it against other degrees at the same level of schooling (such as associate's, bachelor's, or master's), so that you can make informed educational and employment decisions.

What Can a Geology Student Expect to Learn?

A curiosity about the earth, how it formed, the processes involved in the continual changing surface of the earth, life as it existed on earth over the past billion years, or a pursuit of finding new sources of energy can all spark an interest in becoming a geologist. A very diverse area of study, geology looks at both the past forces and processes that formed the earth and the current events that affect both the surface of the earth and the humans living there.

Although earth science courses are not common in advanced science curriculums in secondary schools, the best way to prepare for becoming a geology major is to take as many advanced science and mathematics courses as possible. A sincere curiosity and interest in understanding the forces of nature at work on the earth, a respectable ability in math, and a commitment to success in a rigorous program of study are necessary for success.

Career Opportunities

Well-trained geologists are in demand with expected job opportunities to exceed the number of graduates. A bachelor degree will open the door to entry-level geologist positions, but those with a sincere interest in doing research or attaining the most sought after positions require a master or doctorate degree.

Jobs are available with government agencies, energy companies, and environmental services. Government agencies from the Army Corps of Engineers to the environmental protection agencies of both the federal and state governments hire geologists. Civil engineering positions require a rich geological background. National and state parks employ geologists as interpretive guides who can explain to visitors the long geologic history of the landforms found in parks. Energy and mining companies rely on geologists for exploration and research in the quest for new sources of energy. They are also vital to the process of extraction.

With the demand for energy and minerals continually on the rise, the need for well-trained geologists increases. Industries using and seeking sources of fresh water also employ geologists. Many geologists specialize in areas of study that involve natural disasters such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Government agencies, private business, and consulting firms all require geologists whose knowledge can help protect vital investments and lives. Environmental science careers seek geologists with a strong background in chemistry and life sciences. Entry-level positions may start at under $50,000 and go upwards of $100,000. In addition to promising compensation, geology positions may also include interesting travel, rigorous outdoor working conditions, and a level of prestige that a professional science position brings.

Courses Required to Earn a Geology Degree

Geology offers many areas that students can specialize in after a core group of initial courses are taken. Most courses include labs where students get hands-on experience in the lab or in the field. Introductory courses required of all geology majors include classes in the earth’s history, basic development of geologic formations, an introduction to the history of life on earth, and an understanding of rock and mineral types.

After the initial foundational courses are complete, the student may pick a specific area to specialize in. Paleontologists study past life on earth and can spend their careers in places as diverse as Antarctica or the Bahamas. Volcanologists study the processes involved in the formation of volcanoes.

They are vital to the team of scientists who monitor active volcanoes that can disrupt the lives and investments of humans. Glaciologists study the evolution and processes involved in glacial formation, action, and in today’s world of rapid climate change, their quick retreat. Soil scientists determine the adequacy of soils to support agriculture and the structural integrity of soils where development is occurring. Limnologists study the processes of lakes.

Those wishing to work in energy or mining technologies will need a strong background in the study of minerals and rock formation. Tectonics explains the movement of the huge continental plates across the surface of the earth. Just 50 years ago this was a study in its infancy. Today it helps explain the what and why of earthquakes, volcanoes, and accompanying tsunamis.

In addition to the science courses required, a thorough knowledge of computers, written communication, and supporting mathematics is a must. Every geologist writes detailed technical reports reviewed by other scientists or business executives, all must be adaptable and capable users of advanced technologies, and must be able to nimbly calculate using complex formulas and statistics.

Geology is an exciting field of study leading to promising, well-paying careers that help mankind explain and predict the workings of the surface of the earth. Strong background in other sciences advance a student’s potential employability. Integrated science studies are essential to careers in environmental sciences, oceanography, and many other areas.

Online Schools Offering Accredited Geology Degree Programs

Although geology courses are offered at online universities, and this venue is quickly becoming the choice of increasing numbers of students, online courses cannot offer the depth of learning that traditional classrooms can by incorporating experience in the lab and field into the curriculum.

Almost every geology class has more time spent in these hand-on experiences than in lecture, learning to use equipment, studying landforms, minerals, and other materials using a variety of technologies. An online degree cannot offer this rich experience. With costs that are almost comparable, the small extra expense involved going to a traditional university is well worth it.

For students who need to, many required courses other than sciences can be taken online, reserving the traditional university experience for science classes. Technical writing, computer technology, and many other classes are well suited for online study. There are currently no fully online Geology Degree programs.

Top Colleges & Universities Offering Campus-based Geology Degrees

Hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States offer degrees in geology. The specific area a student wants to specialize in may determine the university they choose. Ohio State University operates a research center in Antarctica where geology and other science students and researchers study this harsh environment. In contrast, the University of Hawaii at Hilo offers courses in volcanology and oceanography. The University of Vermont offers several courses in regional geology including Vermont Field Geology and Geology of the Appalachians. Most universities have courses explaining the landforms, glacial evidence, and other features of the region.

Some of the top campus-based Geology schools are:

• Auburn University
• University of Nevada
• University of New Mexico
• University of New Hampshire
• University of Connecticut
• Florida State University
• University of Washington
• San Diego State University

Who are Famous Students of Geology?

Geologists are not generally at the forefront of cultural fame. Their work, though, has made possible the lives we lead, the abundant energy we utilize every moment of every day, the availability of clean fresh water at the turn of a tap, and the assessments required by structural engineers when they build dams, bridges, and skyscrapers.

Some geologists whose names may be familiar include Alfred Wegener (pictured to the right) who developed the theory of Continental Drift. This theory that was literally a groundbreaking concept explaining how continents are in continual motion on the face of the earth.

For ages people could see that the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America resembled disjointed puzzle pieces, but it was too fantastic an idea to suggest that they were at some point joined together.

Wegener’s theory confirmed that this was exactly the case. Landforms, rock layers, and fossils all join up when these two continents are virtually placed back together. The east coast of North America is also a part of the puzzle, as it was tucked down to join the northwest coast of Africa.

Many environmentalists, ecologists, and even artists have a background and interest in geology. Studying the photographs of Ansel Adams reveals his deep appreciation of the incredible geologic formations of the western United States. Although he may not have had formal training in the field of geology, his beautiful, timeless photographs capture the essence of the grandeur of land formations. Geologists appreciate the beauty and the underlying reasons behind the vast variety of landforms on earth.