Also called: Exploration Geologist (Oil & Gas)
Finds underground oil and gas deposits and decides where to drill.
You study 3D seismic images and rock samples from deep wells to figure out where hydrocarbons are trapped. A drilling decision can cost tens of millions of dollars, so your interpretation matters. Many petroleum geologists also move into 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 geology or geophysics is standard in the oil and gas industry.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Engineering.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall; oil and gas hiring swings with prices.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI reads seismic images faster; drilling bets and the shift to carbon storage and geothermal keep geologists needed.
Classes: Earth science, AP Physics, AP Calculus.
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.