Seismic Data Processor

Also called: Seismic Processing Geophysicist

Turns raw echoes from sound waves into clear images of underground rock layers.

A day in the life

You run huge datasets through filters and algorithms on computer clusters, cleaning out noise until hidden layers appear.

Pay over a career

Starting
$60k
Typical
$95k
High
$150k

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in geophysics, physics, or math.

Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Geophysics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Growth is for geoscientists overall.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

High risk for 10 years. AI now cleans and images seismic data automatically, the core of this job; far fewer processors needed.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science.

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2042.

More Geophysics & Natural Hazards careers

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.