Also called: Mudlogging Geologist, Wellsite Geologist Assistant
Analyzes rock chips and gases that come up with drilling mud to tell the crew what's happening deep underground.
You work in a small trailer on the drill site. Every few minutes you scoop rock cuttings from the mud, wash them, look at them under a microscope and log what you see, while gas sensors beep when the bit hits something interesting.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's in geology, or on-the-job training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Geology.
Growing slowly.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Automated gas sensors and AI rock-chip analysis replace much manual logging; fewer rig-site loggers are expected.
Classes: Earth science, Chemistry, Biology lab, Algebra.
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.