Job Outlook 2017
A recent article in EOS (January 2017) discusses the job outlook for geoscientists over the next decade. The overall outlook is positive, suggesting above average job growth for geoscientists in general. The table below provides median salaries for earth scientists (Harwell, 2017). Go to the article.
| OCCUPATIONS | REQUIRED ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | 2015 MEDIAN SALARY (US$) | PROJECTED GROWTH RATE: 2014-2024 |
| Astronomers | doctorate | $111,000 | 7%, average |
| Atmospheric scientists (incl.meteorologists) | bachelor's | $90,000 | 9%, above average |
| Chemists | bachelor's | $73,000 | 3%, below average |
| Environmental scientists | bachelor's | $67,000 | 11%, above average |
| Geoscientists, except hydrogeologists | bachelor's | $90,000 | 10%, above average |
| Hydrogeologists | bachelor's | $80,000 | 7%, average |
| Mining & geological engineers | bachelor's | $94,000 | 6%, below average |
| Petroleum engineers | bachelor's | $130,000 | 10%, above average |
| Professors | doctorate | $72,000 | 13%, above average |
| All physical scientists | $76,000 | ||
| All occupations | $36,000 |
* Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are 2015 annual averages for full-time wage and salary workers. Credit: Bureau of Labor Statistics (12 January 2017).