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What is an environmental geologist and how to become one
An environmental geologist's job is to keep the environment safe and clean. They do this by analyzing data from elements like groundwater and the soil and recommending safe actions. For example, an environmental geologist may suggest a location for a landfill or nuclear plant based on the data obtained from the environment. These professionals are crucial to our planet's health and survival.
Environmental geologists may also help in cleaning up waste and pollution in the environment. They analyze the extent of contamination based on soil water samples and recommend remediation strategies. Environmental geologists often work with governmental agencies, although they may also help private organizations manage their waste.
You'll need a bachelor's degree in mineralogy, paleontology, or related fields for an entry-level job as an environmental geologist. Senior positions require advanced degrees as well as extensive experience.
What general advice would you give to an environmental geologist?
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.
Department Chair & Professor, George Mason University
Avg. Salary $64,927
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.77%
Asian 5.03%
Black or African American 3.09%
Hispanic or Latino 6.19%
Unknown 3.68%
White 81.24%
Genderfemale 18.97%
male 81.03%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Environmental geologist career paths
Key steps to become an environmental geologist
Explore environmental geologist education requirements
Start to develop specific environmental geologist skills
Skills Percentages Surface Water 11.28% OSHA 10.34% Remediation Projects 6.78% Oil Gas 6.04% Technical Reports 5.44% Complete relevant environmental geologist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New environmental geologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an environmental geologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real environmental geologist resumes.Research environmental geologist duties and responsibilities
- Lead LDEQ-required underground storage tank (UST) assessments and remediation.
- Perform or manage contracted asbestos evaluations including: site assessment reports and management /abatement plan specification preparation.
- Coordinate and oversee drilling operations, and log and sample borings to ASTM standards.
- Provide technical consultation in handling environmental hazards using GIS technologies as a risk assessment and decision making tool.
Prepare your environmental geologist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your environmental geologist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an environmental geologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable environmental geologist resume templates
Build a professional environmental geologist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your environmental geologist resume.
Apply for environmental geologist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an environmental geologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first environmental geologist job
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Average environmental geologist salary
The average environmental geologist salary in the United States is $64,927 per year or $31 per hour. Environmental geologist salaries range between $50,000 and $84,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do environmental geologists rate their job?
Environmental geologist reviews
I do the same job every day but I never get the same results twice. each minute, hour, day everything changes. we drill thru different formations all the time. But we drill the same stuff from well to well.
Firstly, the most important is to protect our planet for us and the future generations. Secondly our planet is not going to support the pressure and negative impacts because of the big Increased human population . Finally our planet needs more and more environmental specialists to regulate and control all human activities, especially the ilegal ones.
I don’t like when big companies they know what’s wrong and what’s right, but still the destroy, like cutting trees in Brazil and the other side big companies even knowing those trees are ilegal, but still they continuing to porches. There for I can’t understand and I don’t like.
Understanding the earth and finding solution to problems caused by humans.
Hard to find a job.
Updated January 8, 2025
