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Exploration geologist vs consulting geologist

The differences between exploration geologists and consulting geologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an exploration geologist and a consulting geologist. Additionally, an exploration geologist has an average salary of $112,376, which is higher than the $112,160 average annual salary of a consulting geologist.

The top three skills for an exploration geologist include geochemical, arcgis and drill holes. The most important skills for a consulting geologist are GIS, technical reports, and geotechnical.

Exploration geologist vs consulting geologist overview

Exploration GeologistConsulting Geologist
Yearly salary$112,376$112,160
Hourly rate$54.03$53.92
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs6675,484
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does an exploration geologist do?

An exploration geologist is an expert in finding mineral deposits that can be extracted using geophysical techniques, such as electromagnetic, gravitational, or seismic methods. They collect samples from test sites to distinguish the depth, quantity, quantity, and type of mineral. They study the earth's structure to predict the locations of natural resources and to plan programs for exploration. They must record all collected data and samples for further analysis and study. They must ensure the accuracy of their forecasts since mistakes in this position are very costly.

What does a consulting geologist do?

Geology Consultants are experts in their field who assist with different geology-related projects and research. They are generally specialized in petroleum, environmental, or hydrology geology.

Exploration geologist vs consulting geologist salary

Exploration geologists and consulting geologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Exploration GeologistConsulting Geologist
Average salary$112,376$112,160
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $191,000Between $65,000 And $191,000
Highest paying CityHouston, TX-
Highest paying stateTexas-
Best paying companyContinental Resources-
Best paying industryEnergy-

Differences between exploration geologist and consulting geologist education

There are a few differences between an exploration geologist and a consulting geologist in terms of educational background:

Exploration GeologistConsulting Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Exploration geologist vs consulting geologist demographics

Here are the differences between exploration geologists' and consulting geologists' demographics:

Exploration GeologistConsulting Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.2% Female, 17.8%Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 82.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 1.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.0% Asian, 3.7% White, 82.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between exploration geologist and consulting geologist duties and responsibilities

Exploration geologist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and/or lead short courses and seminars on eolian sedimentology, the characterization of heterogeneous reservoirs and reservoir management.
  • Create and update maps using ESRI ArcGIS software and maintain a GIS database.
  • Mentore numerous junior staff in GIS, data management, spatial analysis, and presenting papers.
  • Conduct in-depth studies of the sedimentology, stratigraphy, and petrography of sandstone reservoirs base on core analysis.
  • Mentore team on geosteering best practices.
  • Used Petra software for cross-sections and mapping.
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Consulting geologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage task training and laboratory/field safety according to MSHA standards.
  • Work on projects in both oil and gas and environmental consulting using GIS base software, maintain database in Petra
  • Used Petra for mapping purposes and cross-sections.
  • Support Petra, SMT-Kingdom projects and software.
  • Initiate the geological and geotechnical pit mapping program, and a surveillance program for pit slope stability.
  • Operate a Trimble GPS (cm accuracy) unit to locate grid positions for a gravity survey.
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Exploration geologist vs consulting geologist skills

Common exploration geologist skills
  • Geochemical, 9%
  • ArcGIS, 9%
  • Drill Holes, 7%
  • GIS, 7%
  • RC, 6%
  • Geotechnical, 4%
Common consulting geologist skills
  • GIS, 20%
  • Technical Reports, 16%
  • Geotechnical, 7%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Data Interpretation, 5%
  • AU, 4%

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