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The differences between geologists and mine 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 mine engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a geologist has an average salary of $111,878, which is higher than the $83,246 average annual salary of a mine engineer.
The top three skills for a geologist include oversight, OSHA and data collection. The most important skills for a mine engineer are mine planning, ventilation, and continuous improvement.
| Geologist | Mine Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $111,878 | $83,246 |
| Hourly rate | $53.79 | $40.02 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 869 | 3,627 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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 mining engineer specializes in planning and overseeing mining operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis in collaboration with other experts, designing methods and equipment, assessing risks, liaising with external agencies, and managing budgets. A mining engineer must also take part in creating safety policies and regulations, training the workforce, and developing solutions to any issues or concerns. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage crews to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
Geologists and mine engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Geologist | Mine Engineer | |
| Average salary | $111,878 | $83,246 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $196,000 | Between $61,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Texas | California |
| Best paying company | Devon Energy | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a geologist and a mine engineer in terms of educational background:
| Geologist | Mine Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Geology | Mining Engineering |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Colorado School of Mines |
Here are the differences between geologists' and mine engineers' demographics:
| Geologist | Mine Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% |
| 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, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |