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Job outlook for geophysicists in the United States
Are geophysicist jobs in demand?
Geophysicist job and salary trends over time
Geophysicist jobs over time
Geophysicist job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,113 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,675 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,848 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,856 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,758 | 0.00% |
Average geophysicist salary over time
Geophysicist salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $105,067 | $50.51 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $103,338 | $49.68 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $102,317 | $49.19 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $100,879 | $48.50 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $100,801 | $48.46 | +0.1% |
Geophysicist jobs by state
Most common states for geophysicists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 24 | 0% |
| 2 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 11 | 0% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 5 | 0% |
| 4 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 4 | 0% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 2 | 0% |
| 6 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 2 | 0% |
| 7 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 2 | 0% |
| 8 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2 | 0% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2 | 0% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1 | 0% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1 | 0% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 1 | 0% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 0 | 0% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for geophysicists
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenexa | 1 | 2% | $79,624 |
| 2 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $95,392 |
| 3 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $86,980 |
Geophysicist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of geophysicist experts
East Carolina University
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi professor
Eastern Washington University
University of New Orleans
Temple University
The University of Oklahoma
University of California - Los Angeles
GIA
What will help Geophysicists increase their earning potential?
David Mallinson PhD: We’re seeing many of our graduates going into the field of hydrogeology. Take hydrology/hydrogeology courses that provide hands-on experience in the field and laboratory. Some universities (ECU for example) offer certificates in various disciplines that will help (e.g., Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Geographic Information Science, etc.). Take advantage of those. GIS is a must in geological work these days and is in high demand in the job market. Get some fundamental background in geochemistry and geophysics. Some of our students are getting work in coastal settings with consulting firms doing geophysical surveys on land and water (with the acceleration of erosion, emplacement of offshore wind turbines, coastal construction, etc.) so some background knowledge in geophysical survey methods (seismic, sonar, GPR, etc.) can help. There’s increasing emphasis on mineral exploration to meet the demand for green energy and high-tech electronics (Li, Cd, REEs, etc.) so an understanding of economic geology combined with a good mineralogy and petrology background, field mapping and sampling, and GIS can help here.
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.
Professor and HeadOklahoma State University
Boone Pickens School of Geology
What technical skills for a Geophysicist stand out to employers?
Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.: Quantitative reasoning and computational skills are becoming increasingly prevalent for employers hiring Geoscientists. With larger datasets and technological computational and technological advances, there will be an increased need for employees who are good at math, physics, and computation. In addition, communication skills, team building orientation, managerial/ business skills are necessary with increased workforce diversity and more interdisciplinary projects. Data analytics and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, employers in our discipline look for deep technical knowledge in the field of choice (geophysics, geochemistry, sed-strat, etc.) and field experience.
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.
Program Coordinator and Professor of Environmental Science and GeologyTexas A&M University - Corpus Christi professor
Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Geophysicists?
Jennifer Smith-Engle Ph.D.: Yes! Pandemic layoffs and an economic slowdown, coupled with an anticipated long-term global shift away from fossil fuels due to greenhouse warming and climate concerns, should guide many upcoming graduates to consider different geology career avenues than they might have originally planned. The coronavirus pandemic with its switch to online operations has rapidly revolutionized the workplace, demonstrating it is possible for employees to effectively work remotely. The coronavirus-caused economic slowdown is short-term, but geology graduates should consider the pandemic's cultural shift to more remote work, also the expected shift towards plastic production rather than energy production as a major driver of worldwide petroleum demand over the next decade, as longer-term trends which may more profoundly impact their careers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (updated 2/18/2021) projects that employment of geoscientists in all sectors will grow 5% between 2019-2029, driven by needs for energy, environmental protection, and sound land and resource management. Geologists employed by the petroleum industry have generally enjoyed the highest median salaries compared to those in government, environmental industry or academia, but the petroleum industry has also experienced boom-and-bust cyclicity. The current federal administration is promoting substantial shifts to sustainable energy sources and this same commitment is being strongly articulated by leaders of many other industrialized nations, also by automobile manufacturers, public transportation, and other major industries worldwide. In the future, manufacture of plastics will largely drive future petroleum demand. The increased impacts of plastic pollution are clear but technical solutions and alternatives are less clear. Plastic recycling is increasing but overall demand for plastic products is increasing even faster. Recent geology graduates are wise to monitor projections for worldwide petroleum demand as it impacts their long-term career growth prospects in the petroleum industry.
Recent retirements within the oil and gas industry have created job openings but at the same time many major petroleum companies (ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Southwest Energy) are also restructuring and have laid off additional personnel. Thus, recent geology graduates should not expect to land positions with petroleum companies as easily as in the past. This does not mean opportunities in petroleum exploration/production are unavailable but will be more limited and finding employment in this sector will be more challenging for new graduates.
Graduates with field, laboratory and relevant internship experience, and good networking skills, will have an advantage. But geology graduates should also comprehensively assess their skill sets and broadly explore other career areas within academia, state and federal natural resource agencies, environmental services, agriculture, mining, education, non-profits, etc. Careers for geologists are diverse and changing. While the future number of new hires in the oil and gas industry may be modest, some of these hires may become involved in new "green" technologies such as carbon-capture. There may be increased demand for geologists elsewhere to help in siting "green energy" facilities, in land-use planning to minimize losses from natural disasters, in hydrogeology, mining and land reclamation, etc.
What general advice would you give to a Geophysicist?
Chad Pritchard Ph.D.: Talk to your faculty and career services center to get you resume, CV, and cover letter polished. Keep going, and don't get too fixated on one job. Try to keep you options open. Being able to move for a job can help you find more jobs and gain experience towards becoming a professional geologist, which then creates more possibilities. If jobs in your area are slim and you cannot move, then you might consider graduate school, so that when the market rebounds, you have that much more experience and will stand out to potential employers.
Dr. Kraig Derstler
Associate ProfessorUniversity of New Orleans
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences
What type of skills will young Geophysicists need?
Dr. Kraig Derstler: Fewer and fewer geologists are finding professional rock/fossil/stratigraphy jobs. Meanwhile, environmental positions are expanding. In both areas, employers are asking that graduates seeking technical positions have a solid background in basic science and math (physics beyond Newtonian mechanics, chemistry, biology, calculus, basic computer skills and familiarity with Adobe and MS packages, plus GIS software). For professionals, they want the same, plus improved skills in oral and written communication, basic business background, and leadership skills.
What experience really stands out on Geophysicist resumes?
Dr. Kraig Derstler: That's easy - anything that demonstrates a well-developed work ethic, the ability to work in a team, and persistence in completing tasks. Within this framework, the sky is the limit so far as I can tell.
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chair, Earth and Environmental ScienceTemple University
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Geophysicists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Nicholas Davatzes Ph.D.: There are earth science problems that need to be addressed in every part of the United States and the world. The American Geosciences Institute estimates the rate of jobs added to the economy for graduates, in most of the earth science sectors, outstrips the number of graduating university students. These issues become more pressing as the population grows, and resource demand and land-use intensity increase.
Therefore, I would demur from saying there are "good places" for work opportunities. However, it is fair to say that some sectors are more strongly developed in different geographic regions. Water resource management is more of an issue in the west, but quality management is an issue everywhere. Natural hazards occur everywhere, but the type of risk varies by region and from the coasts to the interior. The petroleum industry is centered in Texas and has a strong presence in California, the west, and the south. Among the alternatives, solar, wind, and geothermal heating have diverse applications throughout the United States, although geothermal energy for electricity is mostly developed in the west. Other natural resources, again, vary by region by geology; economic geology is more active in the country's western half.
Kurt Marfurt Ph.D.
Research Professor of GeophysicsThe University of Oklahoma
School of Geosciences
What are the best companies to work for a Geophysicist?
Kurt Marfurt Ph.D.: Let me address that by sector. The service companies are highest on the food chain and; thus, undergoing the strongest retrenchment. I do not expect this to change in the next 2-3 years. The software technology companies are slightly better off. Here, a new hire can learn new state-of-the-art skills such as machine learning and computer programming, and learn how to work with clients, write, and market. If things don't turn around, they can use these new skills and work for a different technology company ranging from big Pharma to Google.
The big oil companies are, in general, more stable than the smaller ones, but they are also retrenching. A disadvantage in a big company is that you may be a small wheel in a very specialized area. As the big wheels in the company turn slowly, you whirl around and maybe lose a few teeth to the more giant gears. Furthermore, if the job you are working on is no longer relevant to the future market, you may not have had the opportunity to diversify your skills and land a different internal job.
The smaller independent oil companies are less stable but provide for a great deal more professional growth. As the focus changes, a geoscientist will need to learn and master drilling, petroleum engineering, land acquisition, negotiation with partners, finances, etc. If you are good (and you need to keep up to date and master new skills), your company may be bought out or go bankrupt, but you will be well-poised to join the next smaller independent oil company.
An advantage of the service, technology, and small independents is that people outside the company get to know who you are at what you can do. If you are in a big oil company, you might be highly valued, but your competitors have never heard of you.
The corporate culture varies wildly from company to company. New grads should size each company's culture and see if it's a good fit for them. Some have internal structures like a fire ant mound with everyone trying to climb to the top of the ball of fire ants, even if it is floating downstream after a flood. Others are much more collaborative. Others are externally focused. This latter culture - whether the focus is on partnering/marketing/sales or technology support - is where you will best build your professional network.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Geophysicists in the next 5 years?
Mackenzie Day Ph.D.: Demand for geologists fluctuates with the changing economy and changing the price of natural resources. Demand changes in different ways in different subfields, but overall, if companies' ability to hire decreases in the short term, they will have to make up for it down the road.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Geophysicists to find work opportunities?
Peter Harts: Major metropolitan cities and international trading ports provide an abundance of opportunities in various roles within the gem and jewelry industry. This is why GIA offers comprehensive education in many of the world's top gem trading and jewelry manufacturing centers.
Graduates can find opportunities with national retail chains, independent businesses, and manufacturing in all parts of the world, both rural and metropolitan. Additionally, more than ever before, people are working in places outside of a conventional office or place of business. E-commerce and the design field provide burgeoning opportunities with advances in technology and remote options - allowing employees the freedom to work where they choose.