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The differences between geologists and geotechnical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a geologist, becoming a geotechnical engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a geologist has an average salary of $111,878, which is higher than the $74,831 average annual salary of a geotechnical engineer.
The top three skills for a geologist include oversight, OSHA and data collection. The most important skills for a geotechnical engineer are geotechnical, civil engineering, and project management.
| Geologist | Geotechnical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $111,878 | $74,831 |
| Hourly rate | $53.79 | $35.98 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 869 | 15,062 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A Geologist studies the composition, structure, and history of the earth's crust. They may work for private industries, the federal government, colleges and universities, or museums.
A Geotechnical Engineer plans and designs the structures for buildings, roads, embankments, canals, and other construction projects. They provide advice to civil and structural engineers, architects, and construction personnel.
Geologists and geotechnical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Geologist | Geotechnical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $111,878 | $74,831 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $196,000 | Between $56,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | El Paso, TX | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Texas | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Devon Energy | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a geologist and a geotechnical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Geologist | Geotechnical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Geology | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between geologists' and geotechnical engineers' demographics:
| Geologist | Geotechnical Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 82.8% Female, 17.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 81.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.0% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |