Using physics to see inside the Earth and to predict and prepare for earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides, and wildfires.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Geophysicist: Uses physics, like sound waves, gravity, and magnetism, to see what's inside the Earth. Typical pay $120k.
Seismologist: Studies earthquakes: where they happen, why, and how to warn people in time. Typical pay $112k.
Geodesist: Measures the exact shape, size, and gravity of the Earth, which makes GPS and maps accurate. Typical pay $115k.
Infrasound Scientist: Listens for sounds too low for humans to hear to detect volcanic eruptions, meteors and secret nuclear tests. Typical pay $125k.
Seismic Interpreter: Reads 3D sound-wave images of the underground to map rock layers, faults and places to store carbon or drill. Typical pay $135k.
Geomagnetism Scientist: Tracks Earth's magnetic field, which guides compasses, phones and airplanes and shifts every year. Typical pay $120k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Volcanologist: Monitors and studies volcanoes to forecast eruptions and keep people safe. Typical pay $108k.
Tsunami Warning Scientist: Watches for undersea earthquakes and decides within minutes whether to warn coastlines of a tsunami. Typical pay $100k.
Landslide & Geohazards Geologist: Maps and predicts landslides, sinkholes, and debris flows that threaten roads and homes. Typical pay $92k.
Seismic Data Processor: Turns raw echoes from sound waves into clear images of underground rock layers. Typical pay $95k.
Wildfire Behavior Analyst: Predicts how a wildfire will spread so firefighters know where to work safely. Typical pay $85k.
Hazard Mitigation Planner: Plans how communities can reduce damage from earthquakes, floods, and wildfires before they happen. Typical pay $82k.
Emergency Management Specialist: Prepares cities and counties for disasters and coordinates response when they hit. Typical pay $86k.
Near-Surface Geophysicist: Uses radar, magnetometers and electrical sensors to find buried pipes, graves, groundwater and old bombs without digging. Typical pay $90k.
Marine Seismic Observer: Works on survey ships towing miles-long cables that map the seafloor and rock beneath it. Typical pay $80k.
Airborne Geophysical Survey Operator: Flies low over wild country in small planes or helicopters with sensors that map magnetic rocks, minerals and water hidden underground. Typical pay $70k.
Microseismic Monitoring Analyst: Watches buried sensor networks for tiny earthquakes caused by fracking, geothermal wells, mines or CO2 storage, and warns operators before they grow. Typical pay $95k.
Starter: fastest way in
Avalanche Forecaster: Predicts avalanche danger for backcountry skiers, ski resorts, and highways. Typical pay $52k.
Seismic Network Field Technician: Installs and repairs the earthquake and volcano sensors spread across remote landscapes. Typical pay $54k.
Seismic Crew Field Technician: Lays out sensors across the land so geophysicists can record sound waves bouncing off rock layers. Typical pay $45k.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Technician: Uses radar to see buried pipes, cables, graves, and archaeological sites without digging. Typical pay $50k.
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.