The Geology major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Sciences, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Sciences, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$86,182

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$120,835

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$144,009

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 1.8%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$2,753,622

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Natural Sciences Managers
SOC: 11-9121
Occupation: Natural Sciences Managers
$161,180
100,870
N/A
N/A
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
SOC: 19-2042
Occupation: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$99,240
22,510
N/A
N/A
Hydrologists
SOC: 19-2043
Occupation: Hydrologists
$92,060
5,720
N/A
N/A
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
SOC: 19-4043
Occupation: Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$48,390
9,710
N/A
N/A
Hydrologic Technicians
SOC: 19-4044
Occupation: Hydrologic Technicians
$58,570
2,940
N/A
N/A
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1051
Occupation: Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$101,390
11,480
N/A
N/A

Colleges offering Geology

Florida Institute of Technology

ROEDU™

999

Net Price

$36k

Earnings

$71k

California Institute of Technology

ROEDU™

999

Net Price

$23k

Earnings

$139k

Shasta College

ROEDU™

999

Net Price

$8k

Earnings

$74k

University of Delaware

ROEDU™

999

Net Price

$18k

Earnings

$65k

Harvard University

ROEDU™

999

Net Price

$18k

Earnings

$104k