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Development geologist vs assistant geologist

The differences between development geologists and assistant geologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a development geologist and an assistant geologist. Additionally, a development geologist has an average salary of $110,970, which is higher than the $109,783 average annual salary of an assistant geologist.

The top three skills for a development geologist include reservoir characterization, AFE and production data. The most important skills for an assistant geologist are site assessments, geotechnical, and GIS.

Development geologist vs assistant geologist overview

Development GeologistAssistant Geologist
Yearly salary$110,970$109,783
Hourly rate$53.35$52.78
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs45,844702
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a development geologist do?

A Development Geologist is responsible for geological static modeling and database management. They report best-practice technological advances to management.

What does an assistant geologist do?

An assistant geologist performs various support tasks that focus on the studies of earth materials and processes. They typically function as a member of a research team where they are in charge of gathering and analyzing samples such as soil and groundwater, generating maps and guidelines, interpreting data, drawing conclusions and recommendations, and preparing plans and written reports. Moreover, when it comes to employment, an assistant geologist works alongside an experienced geologist at government agencies, research facilities, and private companies.

Development geologist vs assistant geologist salary

Development geologists and assistant geologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Development GeologistAssistant Geologist
Average salary$110,970$109,783
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $171,000Between $68,000 And $176,000
Highest paying CityThe Woodlands, TX-
Highest paying stateTexas-
Best paying companyChevron-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between development geologist and assistant geologist education

There are a few differences between a development geologist and an assistant geologist in terms of educational background:

Development GeologistAssistant Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Development geologist vs assistant geologist demographics

Here are the differences between development geologists' and assistant geologists' demographics:

Development GeologistAssistant Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 81.4% Female, 18.6%Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 4.0% White, 83.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 82.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between development geologist and assistant geologist duties and responsibilities

Development geologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the field budget, and liability of MWD field equipment.
  • Manage the installation of geophones, tiltmeters, inclinometers, passive vent wells, gas caps, and ORWs.
  • Create mineral rights lease maps utilizing ArcMap (GIS).
  • Correlate well logs using PETRA and other programs, and research production zones for solid and fluid minerals.
  • Prospect generation and development has been expedite by becoming proficient in Petra mapping software.
  • Review farm-out requests, prepare well prognoses, monitor area-drilling activity, and conduct miscellaneous well-site activities in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Show more

Assistant geologist example responsibilities.

  • Build geological, geophysical and geochemical models for integrate basin modeling, prospect generation, volume estimation and well planning.
  • Identify asbestos fibers microscopically in association with construction building material samples.

Development geologist vs assistant geologist skills

Common development geologist skills
  • Reservoir Characterization, 22%
  • AFE, 7%
  • Production Data, 6%
  • Well Log, 6%
  • Petrel, 6%
  • Log Analysis, 6%
Common assistant geologist skills
  • Site Assessments, 42%
  • Geotechnical, 26%
  • GIS, 11%
  • Groundwater Samples, 6%
  • GPS, 6%
  • Soil Samples, 5%

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