Also called: Exploration Geophysicist
Uses sound waves sent into the ground to make pictures of rock layers miles below the surface.
You process seismic data on powerful computers, remove noise, and build 3D images that show where faults and reservoirs are. The same skills are used for carbon storage and geothermal.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's in geophysics or physics.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Geophysics, Physics, Geology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI now auto-picks faults and horizons in seismic data, shrinking interpretation teams.
Classes: AP Physics C, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2042.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.