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Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment

Careers in Geology

What can you do with a geography degree from Illinois State University? Just about anything.

Geologists are people who study the Earth. On a daily basis, you and the rest of human society interact with the Earth in obvious and not so obvious ways. These interactions range from the materials that make up your car or home, the food that you eat, the water you drink, and even the air you breathe. Geologists are employed in each one of these interactions.

Geology students become

  • Petroleum geologists
  • Engineering geologists
  • Hydrologists
  • Earth science teachers
  • Planetary scientists
  • Soil scientists
  • Paleontologists
  • Seismologists

Where geologists work

  • The largest employers of geoscientists in 2020 were: architectural, engineering, and related services (26%), management, scientific, and technical consulting services (17%), mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (16%), federal government excluding postal service (8%), state government excluding education and hospitals (8%), and other (25%). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geoscientists, accessed February 16, 2022.
  • According to a 2021 survey by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), recent Geoscience BA/BS graduates accepted jobs in the following sectors: Professional Services (16%), Federal Government (16%), 4-Year College (12%), Construction (9%), State Government (6%), Oil and Gas (6%), Mining (6%), Waste Management (6%), Other (23%). Source: AGI, Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates, 2020-21. www.americangeosciences.org/citations/status-recent-geoscience-graduates-2021.

What geologists make

For more information on the outlook for geologists and related occupations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

  • The median annual wages for geoscientists and related occupations in May 2020 was: geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers ($93,580), physical scientists ($83,250). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geoscientists, accessed February 16, 2022.
  • The median annual wages for hydrologists and related occupations in May 2020 was: hydrologists ($84,040), physical scientists ($83,250). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Hydrologists, accessed February 16, 2022.
  • The median annual wages for geological and hydrologic technicians and related occupations in May 2020 was: geological and hydrologic technicians ($50,630), life, physical, and social science technicians ($48,440). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geological and Hydrologic Technicians, accessed February 16, 2022.

Learn more about Careers in Geology from the American Association of Geographers.