The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $99,240 for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers, against $49,500 for all occupations. The occupation holds about 25,100 jobs with roughly 2,000 openings a year, and typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
Volcanology is one of the most compelling sciences and one of the smallest job markets in this field. It is worth pursuing with clear eyes, a funded graduate position, and a broader geoscience skill set underneath it.
Is this path a fit for you?
You want fieldwork in demanding environments, and you are drawn to a science with an immediate public safety dimension.
What the work actually involves
A very small specialization concentrated in observatories, universities, and government surveys. Positions are limited and competitive, and the path runs through research.
Federal wage and outlook data
Figures below are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are May 2024 national medians and projections run from 2024 to 2034. This is occupation-wide data, not a starting salary and not a promise about any individual employer.
| Federal occupation | Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (19-2042) |
|---|---|
| May 2024 median wage | $99,240 |
| Lowest 10 percent earned below | $58,790 |
| Highest 10 percent earned above | $178,880 |
| Total employment, 2024 | 25,100 |
| Projected growth, 2024 to 2034 | +3% (About as fast as average) |
| Average annual openings | About 2,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
Median wage by industry
Industry moves pay more than almost anything else within a single occupation. This table is usually the most decision-relevant thing on a career page, and it is the one most often left out.
| Industry | May 2024 median |
|---|---|
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | $148,760 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $116,470 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | $86,780 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $86,620 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $83,420 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
A small field, honestly described
Volcanologists are counted within the geoscientists occupation, an occupation of about 25,100 jobs with roughly 2,000 annual openings across every specialization it contains. Volcanology is a small share of that total, concentrated in a handful of observatories and research groups.
We are not going to inflate this. If your goal is a volcanology research career, the path is a funded doctorate and a willingness to relocate to where the volcanoes and the observatories are.
What this means for you
Build transferable competence alongside the specialization. Remote sensing, geochemistry, and hazards modeling all serve volcanology directly and also serve a much larger job market.
Get field experience in volcanic terrain early through field camp, a research assistantship, or a summer program. It tells you whether you actually want this before you commit a decade.
The education pathway
There is no single route, but there is a common sequence. Each stage below answers a different question, and the order matters more than people expect.
| Stage | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Geology bachelor degree | Strong petrology, geochemistry, and field methods. Field camp is essential. |
| Funded graduate study | Research training with an established group. The advisor matters more than the institution name in a field this small. |
| Observatory or academic role | USGS volcano observatories, universities, and international monitoring agencies. |
| Maintain a broader base | Geochemistry, remote sensing, or hazards modeling skills keep you employable across the wider geoscience market. |
Skills worth building deliberately
- field volcanology
- petrology
- geochemistry
- monitoring instrumentation
- hazard communication
Frequently asked questions
Is volcanology dangerous?
Field volcanology carries genuine risk, managed through protocols, monitoring, and experience. Much of the work is laboratory, monitoring, and analytical rather than on an active vent.
Where are the jobs?
Primarily USGS volcano observatories, universities, and international monitoring agencies, concentrated in volcanically active regions.
