Headline risk
2%
Very Low RiskGeoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 5% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 99,240
Employment 2024
25.1K
Projected Change (2024–34)
3.2%
Openings (2024–34)
2.0K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software. AI use: 0%
- 2. Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos. AI use: 0%
- 3. 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. AI use: 0%
- 4. Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities. AI use: 0%
- 5. 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. AI use: 0%
- 6. Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports. AI use: 90%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 47.1 · 254K employed
Under 25: 3% · 25–54: 68% · 55+: 29%
Related
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
title_match · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
Geoscientists usually split their time between work in an office setting, in laboratories, and outdoors. Most geoscientists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Schedules vary to include irregular hours when doing fieldwork .
Geoscientists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. For some positions, employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree. Most geoscientists need a state-issued license.
The median annual wage for geoscientists was $99,240 in May 2024.
Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.