Geology and Earth Science
Physical Sciences · federal classification: Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,072 | $53,252 to $64,600 | 134 | 99% |
| Master's Degree | $91,662 | $79,072 to $102,976 | 15 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2025 to 2035), about 15,300 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $167,220 | +8.2% | 9,200 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | +5.1% | 1,800 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $93,250 | +2.3% | 1,700 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | +3.6% | 1,000 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,170 | +2.4% | 800 |
| Hydrologists | $96,600 | +1.5% | 400 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a geology and earth science program, of 489 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Mississippi State University
- Washington State University
- Texas A&M University-College Station
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- University of California-San Diego
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Southern New Hampshire University
- The University of Texas at Austin
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.