Geologist salaries are based on expertise, duties, competition, and economic climate. A graduate degree in geology is required, with a minimum of seven years of education. Salaries vary based on knowledge, expected roles, competition, and economic climate. Field work pays the most but has high risk.
A geologist salary is typically negotiated during the hiring process and varies based on several important factors: level of expertise, expected duties, competition, and economic climate. A geologist is a type of scientist focused on the substances that make up planet Earth, as well as other planets in our solar system. Geologists can be found working for government agencies, higher education institutions, research institutes and mining companies.
To become a geologist, candidates must complete a graduate degree in geology from an accredited university. The minimum number of years of post-secondary education required to obtain this level of training is seven full-time years. Many geologists complete their doctorate, which requires an additional four to five years of school commitment.
The main factor that affects a geologist salary is the level of knowledge. In this field, knowledge is a combination of academic credentials and field experience. Academic credentials are easy to measure and the salary scale varies based on the level of education completed. There is no differentiation between schools at the graduate level in terms of salary. For example, an applicant with a master’s degree from a state university will receive the same as an applicant with a master’s degree from Yale University.
The expected roles of a geologist vary widely, and this has a direct impact on a geologist’s salary. There are three main areas of work for a geologist: teaching, research or field work. Teaching positions pay more initially, but have a slower rate of increase over time. Salaries for research positions vary greatly by institute, publication rate, and awarding body. Many research institutes have a teaching component necessary to maintain the position. Field work is the highest paying job for a geologist, but it requires long hours, extensive travel and carries a high degree of risk.
Competition has a big impact on a geologist salary, as is the case with academic or research positions. The richer the field of applicants for a position, the lower the pay. This combination is often found for prestigious or high profile opportunities. A position in a remote location with minimal interest typically pays more, as the employer needs to attract quality candidates and keep them employed to complete the job.
The economic climate has a huge impact on geologists’ salaries. In an economic downturn, available funding from government agencies decreases. Research funding will typically continue to be maintained for long-term projects already under way, but new projects will be delayed.
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