Career research
Start with the job, then work backward to the degree.
Most students choose a major and hope a career appears. That is the expensive order. Each guide below covers the daily work, the federal wage data, the education pathway, and the parts nobody mentions at an open day.
Environmental scientists hold about 90,300 jobs with 8,500 annual openings. Geoscientists hold about 25,100 with 2,000. Geographers hold about 1,500 with just 100. Median wage alone will mislead you here.
Core geoscience
Core geoscience pathways
Geologist
Studies the composition, structure, and history of the Earth, and applies that understanding to resources, hazards, construction, and environmental problems.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableGeophysicist
Uses physics-based methods, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electrical techniques, to image and interpret the subsurface.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableSeismologist
Studies earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth, for hazard assessment, research, and subsurface imaging.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableVolcanologist
Studies volcanoes, eruptive processes, and volcanic hazards, generally for research institutions and government observatories.
Read the career guide →Water and environment
Water and environment pathways
Hydrogeologist
Studies groundwater movement, quality, and availability, and applies it to water supply, contamination, and regulatory problems.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableEnvironmental Geologist
Applies geology to contamination, site assessment, remediation, and regulatory compliance for private clients and government agencies.
Read the career guide →Geospatial
Geospatial pathways
GIS Analyst
Builds, analyzes, and maintains spatial data and mapping products that other people use to make decisions about land, infrastructure, environment, and operations.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableRemote Sensing Specialist
Analyzes satellite, aerial, drone, and lidar imagery to extract information about land, water, vegetation, and infrastructure.
Read the career guide → Federal data availableGeospatial Data Scientist
Applies statistical modeling, machine learning, and software engineering to spatial data problems at scale.
Read the career guide →Energy and resources
Energy and resources pathways
Applied and engineering