What does a geologist do?
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.
Geologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real geologist resumes:
- Manage leach pad ore delivery to maximize and predict Au recovery.
- Establish an LLC and learned the fundamentals of running and managing a small business.
- Manage the installation of geophones, tiltmeters, inclinometers, passive vent wells, gas caps, and ORWs.
- Manage task training and laboratory/field safety according to MSHA standards.
- Manage, design and supervise geologic investigation drilling plans relate to environmental, geotechnical and mining projects.
- Assist with geochemical and geophysical programs evaluating precious- and base-metal mineral exploration projects in Colorado, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
- Geo-Steer horizontal shale gas wells.
- Attend several OSHA training seminars to ensure workplace safety.
- Initiate multi-district modernization effort for USACE gINT data structure.
- Prepare APDs for drilling AFE's and perform well-site geologic evaluation.
- Experience in techniques for analysis and high grading shale play acreage.
- Generate geophysical subsurface maps for drilling prospects by using data in ArcGIS.
- Involve with preparation of exploration and development program budgets and AFE planning.
- Use of Vulcan to delineate orebody from drilling and chip sampling data.
- Conduct qualitytesting on concrete, asphalt, soil composition, and environmental concerns.
Geologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Geologists are proficient in Oversight, OSHA, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Geologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Oversight, 24%
Provided oversight and project management of subsurface environmental investigations and remedial activities including confirmatory sampling for numerous City of Chicago projects.
- OSHA, 7%
Remained current on all relevant OSHA safety practices and required certifications.
- Data Collection, 6%
Conducted environmental field investigations and data collection and sampling.
- GIS, 5%
Completed adequacy review requirements and performed field and GIS mapping to finalize permit specifics.
- Surface Water, 4%
Have successfully operated and maintained a groundwater treatment facility, soil vapor extraction systems and a surface water aeration system.
- Data Analysis, 4%
Supervised exploratory drilling operations, including field geology and geological data analysis/interpretation.
Most geologists use their skills in "oversight," "osha," and "data collection" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential geologist responsibilities here:
Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for a geologist to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "geoscientists need to be physically fit because they may need to hike, sometimes to remote locations, while carrying equipment for fieldwork." Additionally, a geologist resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "supervised drilling operations and geophysical data collections. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling geologist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "geoscientists must be able to present their research findings clearly to a variety of audiences, including both scientists and those who do not have a background in geoscience." According to a geologist resume, here's how geologists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "maintain a secure working file at the well-site for all geological data, logs and communications. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of geologists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday geologist duties, as "geoscientists must be able to analyze statistical data and other information in order to address problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "participated in the development and comment resolution of documents and study plans for the yucca mountain site characterization project. "
The three companies that hire the most geologists are:
- AECOM41 geologists jobs
- Wsp USA Buildings Inc.25 geologists jobs
- CDM Smith12 geologists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable geologist resume templates
Build a professional geologist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your geologist resume.
Compare different geologists
Geologist vs. Project geophysicist
In a geology internship, an intern has the opportunity to gain insights and practical experience while performing various support tasks under the directives and supervision of a geologist or manager. Their duties typically include working on different projects, conducting research, doing fieldwork, gathering and analyzing samples, collecting photographs or videos as evidence, completing surveys and assessments, and producing reports, submitting them according to protocols and standards. Additionally, they also have clerical duties, such as handling calls and other forms of correspondence, preparing and processing paperwork, and running errands when necessary.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, geologist responsibilities require skills like "oversight," "osha," "data collection," and "surface water." Meanwhile a typical project geophysicist has skills in areas such as "data processing," "uxo," "electromagnetic induction," and "lidar." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Project geophysicists tend to reach similar levels of education than geologists. In fact, project geophysicists are 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Geologist vs. Consulting petroleum geologist
A Geophysicist studies the Earth's physical properties. They also examine the effects of the atmosphere on radio and satellite communications.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, geologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "oversight," "osha," "data collection," and "surface water." Meanwhile, a consulting petroleum geologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "oil gas," "afe," "completion design," and "wireline." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Consulting petroleum geologists earn similar levels of education than geologists in general. They're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for geologists in the next 3-5 years?
Nelson Ham Ph.D.
Professor of Geology and Environmental Science, St. Norbert College
Geologist vs. Geology internship
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, geologists are more likely to have skills like "oversight," "osha," "surface water," and "data analysis." But a geology internship is more likely to have skills like "database management," "construction sites," "cad," and "msha."
When it comes to education, geology interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to geologists. In fact, they're 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Geologist vs. Geophysicist
Types of geologist
Updated January 8, 2025
