Post job

Field geologist vs research geologist

The differences between field geologists and research 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 research geologist. Additionally, a research geologist has an average salary of $116,391, 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 research geologist are GIS, geological survey, and R.

Field geologist vs research geologist overview

Field GeologistResearch Geologist
Yearly salary$109,947$116,391
Hourly rate$52.86$55.96
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs45,35945,501
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

Field geologist vs research geologist salary

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

Field GeologistResearch Geologist
Average salary$109,947$116,391
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $185,000Between $81,000 And $166,000
Highest paying City-Midland, TX
Highest paying state-Texas
Best paying company-Exxon Mobil
Best paying industry--

Differences between field geologist and research geologist education

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

Field GeologistResearch Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Field geologist vs research geologist demographics

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

Field GeologistResearch Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1%
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, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 81.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between field geologist and research 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

Research geologist example responsibilities.

  • Foster cross laboratory collaboration between physics labs and between engineering, biology, and chemistry departments to accomplish share goals.
  • Synthesize and characterize colloidal room-temperature ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
  • Conduct research by administering quantitative and qualitative surveys to low income fathers and entering and analyzing the data using SPSS

Field geologist vs research geologist skills

Common field geologist skills
  • Data Collection, 11%
  • Geotechnical, 9%
  • Well Design, 7%
  • Site Assessments, 6%
  • Water Samples, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 5%
Common research geologist skills
  • GIS, 40%
  • Geological Survey, 18%
  • R, 15%
  • Geological Data, 12%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Sedimentology, 8%

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs