Post job

Field geologist vs development geologist

The differences between field geologists and development 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 field geologist and a development geologist. Additionally, a development geologist has an average salary of $110,970, which is higher than the $109,947 average annual salary of a field geologist.

The top three skills for a field geologist include data collection, geotechnical and well design. The most important skills for a development geologist are reservoir characterization, AFE, and production data.

Field geologist vs development geologist overview

Field GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Yearly salary$109,947$110,970
Hourly rate$52.86$53.35
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs45,35945,844
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a field geologist do?

A Field Geologist is specialized in a certain field of geology, such as minerology, paleontology, or geotechnology. They study the earth's crust to obtain an accurate picture of its structure, history, and composition.

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.

Field geologist vs development geologist salary

Field geologists and development geologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Average salary$109,947$110,970
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $185,000Between $71,000 And $171,000
Highest paying City-The Woodlands, TX
Highest paying state-Texas
Best paying company-Chevron
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between field geologist and development geologist education

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

Field GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Field geologist vs development geologist demographics

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

Field GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between field geologist and development geologist duties and responsibilities

Field geologist example responsibilities.

  • Establish an LLC and learned the fundamentals of running and managing a small business.
  • Prepare maps by positioning and plotting GPS points from localities find onto current geological maps.
  • Collect soil and rock samples and classify according to ASTM national guidelines.
  • Rely upon to handle geological rock samples classification and description with ASTM standards.
  • Interpret rate of penetration, gas data, and MWD gamma data to call formation tops.
  • Work in a team with geologists, MWD loggers, drillers, engineers, and practice safety procedures.
  • Show more

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

Field geologist vs development geologist skills

Common field geologist skills
  • Data Collection, 11%
  • Geotechnical, 9%
  • Well Design, 7%
  • Site Assessments, 6%
  • Water Samples, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 5%
Common development geologist skills
  • Reservoir Characterization, 22%
  • AFE, 7%
  • Production Data, 6%
  • Well Log, 6%
  • Petrel, 6%
  • Log Analysis, 6%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs