Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
23,470 people do this job in the US. $101,920 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 88%
- 1%
- 11%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 2%. Today's estimate: 3%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 32 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.Done daily by most who do it. | 8% | 5 h50 min to 2.5 work days | 9%Half by Dec 2027 | |
| Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 8% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.5 work days | 8%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 7% | 2.1 work days3.3 h to 1.7 work weeks | 1%Half by Sep 2028 | |
| Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 7% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.3 work weeks | 0%Half by Apr 2029 | |
| Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 6% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 1 work week | 2%Half by Apr 2028 | |
| Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.3 work weeks | 0%Half by Apr 2029 | |
| Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 5% | 1.7 work weeks2.1 work days to 4.2 work weeks | 0%Half by May 2029 | |
| Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 4.2 work days | 6%Half by Jan 2028 | |
| Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 1.7 work weeks | Stays with people | |
| Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 3.3 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 0%Half by Sep 2028 | |
| Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 4% | 1.7 work weeks2.1 work days to 4.2 work weeks | 0%Half by May 2029 | |
| Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 4% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.3 work weeks | 0%Half by Apr 2029 |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).