Studies the chemistry of rocks, water, and soil, from dating ancient rocks to tracking pollution.
You might use a mass spectrometer to measure how old a volcanic ash layer is, or trace how arsenic gets into well water.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD or master's in geochemistry, geology, or chemistry.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps sort lab data; field sampling, mass-spec work and tracing pollution stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, Earth science, Statistics.
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.