Also called: Mud Logging Geologist, Wellsite Geologist
Examines rock chips that come up with drilling mud to tell the team what layer the drill is in.
You sit in a small trailer at the rig, wash and inspect rock cuttings under a microscope, watch for gas readings, and log everything. It's a common first job for geology grads.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in geology preferred; some train on the job.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geology.
Shrinking. Oil and gas jobs swing up and down with oil prices; long-term outlook is flat to slightly growing.
High risk for 10 years. Automated gas sensors and AI rock-cuttings analysis are replacing much of mudlogging work.
Classes: Earth science, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4043.
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.