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Job outlook for geology instructors in the United States
Geology instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected geology instructor job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for geology instructors are projected over the next decade.
Geology instructor salaries have increased 11% for geology instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,075 geology instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 24,423 active geology instructor job openings in the US.
The average geology instructor salary is $57,038.
Are geology instructor jobs in demand?
Geology instructor job and salary trends over time
Geology instructor jobs over time
Geology instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,075 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,111 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,607 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,607 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,407 | 0.00% |
Average geology instructor salary over time
Geology instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $57,038 | $27.42 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $55,542 | $26.70 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $54,830 | $26.36 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $52,730 | $25.35 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $51,541 | $24.78 | +2.7% |
Geology instructor jobs by state
Most common states for geology instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 489 | 9% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 51 | 9% |
| 3 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 382 | 8% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
| 5 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 726 | 7% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 604 | 7% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 278 | 7% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 66 | 7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 51 | 7% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 660 | 6% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 466 | 5% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 311 | 5% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 281 | 5% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 161 | 5% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 135 | 5% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 37 | 5% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 30 | 5% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 129 | 4% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 59 | 4% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 46 | 4% |
Geology Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of geology instructor experts
University of Arizona
Mansfield University
Augustana College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Augustana University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Yale University
UNC Asheville
SUNY Potsdam
Megan Carney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Arizona
School of Anthropology
What skills stand out on Geology Instructor resumes?
Megan Carney Ph.D.: For those seeking a teaching position, it is really important to demonstrate previous teaching experience. At this point, it is highly preferred that job applicants have both in-person/classroom teaching experience as well as experience with online teaching, as so many departments are offering both options to students. Applicants should be specific on their resumes and CVs about the courses they taught, course evaluations, and even include some feedback from their former students. If one has taught online, they should list the platforms they're familiar with, such as Canvas and D2L. There is also a strong interest in applicants who have pursued further pedagogical training to augment their sensibilities as instructors that will help to improve accessibility for students. For instance, the Disability Cultural Center at the University of Arizona offers an Ableism 101 workshop and certificate.
What skills stand out on Geology Instructor resumes?
Dr. Nicolle Mayo Ph.D.: Psychology professors should be keeping up-to-date on the latest research and information in their field. To show that they are staying current and have the skills to understand and contribute to their field, there should be several research publications and presentations listed on their resume. These should be current. Familiarity and regularity with statistical software, like SPSS, NVivo, and others also stands out because skills are needed to operate these programs to conduct research. Taking leading positions, like the chair of a committee, shows an instructor can take charge and lead a team of people. The type of committee an instructor leads is another important variable. If they lead a curriculum committee, that is often viewed more impressively than a student group, for example. How effective their leadership is can be further explained through their references. Finally, the number, types, and frequency of courses taught are vital to note. The more experience an instructor has with teaching a course shows expertise. Of course, how effective that instructor is at teaching the course should be taken into consideration. Usually, student evaluations, separate from a resume or CV, can elaborate on this piece. These components represent both the hard and soft skills.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Geology Instructors?
Fredy Rodriguez-Mejia Ph.D.: From the social science perspective, students should seek out training and certifications in the following fields: qualitative and quantitative data analysis (e.g. NVivo, MAXQDA, and EXCEL); data visualization software (MS PowerBI, Tableau); UX Design Research bootcamps.
What will help Geology Instructors increase their earning potential?
Fredy Rodriguez-Mejia Ph.D.: The more skills and certification students can get, the better positioned they will be to negotiate higher wages based on the contributions they can offer to a given organization, company or institution. Students should volunteer for research projects where they can be exposed to and learn more about research techniques and data analysis approaches.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geology Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Amanda Poole: Anthropology is of increasing relevance in our globalizing world. The unique tools and perspectives of anthropology include thinking holistically, critically, and cross-culturally about complex issues, appreciating and translating across different experiences and perspectives, and conducting research that helps to provide depth of understanding. Applied anthropologist Cathleen Crain explains, "Adding an anthropologist to a research team is like moving from black-and-white TV to color. We're able to observe shades of color that others can't see. Anthropologists understand complexity and can help devise answers that reflect that complexity."
Anthropologists work in four main sectors where they apply a knowledge and skill set related to culture, diversity, and the social impacts of program and policies: academia, government, corporate and business careers, and non-profit or community-based careers. Archaeological anthropologists often work in the field of Cultural Resource Management (CRM). CRM tracks to the building and development industries which are rebounding from COVID, meaning the demand for archaeology is also picking up.
Anthropological skill sets lend themselves to work in a broad variety of professions, including disaster planning and response, development, product development, and humanitarian aid. The global economy demands people with a knowledge of multi-cultural issues and with the skill set to understand and work sensitively and respectfully with people from a variety of backgrounds. As we engage in Covid-19 recovery across varied communities and tackle complex social and environmental challenges facing us at local, national, and global scales, there is a clear growing need for anthropologically trained professionals.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Geology Instructors?
Dr. Amanda Poole: Anthropologists with a BA can find jobs that use their skill sets, but an MA or PhD opens up more job opportunities. Becoming a Registered Archaeologist (
How have salaries changed over time for Geology Instructors?
Dr. Amanda Poole: Salaries have consistently gone up in archaeology and anthropology at rates that exceed cost of living increases. A student with a BA in archaeology and a field school can make on average $18/hr. With more experience they can make an average of $22/hr. For professionals holding BA or MA credentials in anthropology more broadly, the median pay in 2019 was $63,670 per year. Salaries increase with credentials.
What's a good job out of college for Geology Instructors?
Jason Kruse: I work in the Cultural Resource Management (CRM - archeology) field of anthropology. This is where most college graduates will end up working once they complete their degree. This is a field with slow but steady job growth in comparison to most other professions. I believe projected job growth is only expected to be between 5-10% over a decade. Most of the CRM positions start out as seasonal with a small percentage moving into a permanent job. The jobs that are created are directly linked to infrastructure growth and maintenance, whether it is replacing a section of natural gas pipeline, new mining proposals, highway expansion, etc.. The other factor for job placement is the occasional research contract, which typically has a few permanent full time employees with seasonal help. The job market for graduates has a steady growth and there are numerous jobs for those that are willing to travel extensively from job to job until they find the place that has/needs additional full time employees. The important part is to be willing to travel form job to job, work for various entities, and network with the people they are working with. So, there hasn't been any major shift in the CRM field as far as employment.
Moving forward, there will be new job markets opening up in artificial intelligence as the science behind AI develops and cultural diversity becomes more important to place that technology in a diverse human landscape. Many museum jobs are slightly contracted due to closures and reduced revenue, but those jobs will be opening back up as we push past the pandemic. Jobs in anthropology related to the medical field will likely be steady as we move forward to understand the effects of the pandemic. There will likely be some new jobs created in studying the cultural effects of the pandemic across the demographics of different communities.
I think we are going to see more entry-level jobs opening than we will with senior level, due to the fact that many places have lost an extensive amount of revenue. Many people have taken on multi role job assignments at the senior level as mid level employees have been let go.
Dr. Rhonda Dass Ph.D.
Director - American Indigenous Studies/Museum Studies, Chair/Professor - Anthropology DepartmentMinnesota State University, Mankato
Anthropology Department
What technical skills for a Geology Instructor stand out to employers?
Dr. Rhonda Dass Ph.D.: Employers need people who can analyze data, create practical solutions to everyday problems, and apply their skills to situations.
Erin Vogel Ph.D.
Henry Rutgers Term Chair Professor, Associate ProfessorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Department of Anthropology and Center for Human Evolutionary Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geology Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Erin Vogel Ph.D.: Unfortunately, the job market this year is not great. A lot of universities have hiring freezes right now. However, I am hoping we will see an increase in job openings in Fall 2021.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geology Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Roderick McIntosh Ph.D.: In principal, the academic job market was strengthening, somewhat, before the pandemic, and then many universities imposed a total hiring freeze. Once the pandemic is over, however, I anticipate a return to the improvement.
What skills stand out on Geology Instructor resumes?
Roderick McIntosh Ph.D.: There is no substitute for as much field experience as possible, and at least one analytical laboratory skill is critical. I do not see many pure archaeometry positions opening up (as opposed to the traditional region-focus anthropological archaeology trend), but science-based archaeology is on the rise.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Geology Instructors to find work opportunities?
Roderick McIntosh Ph.D.: Whatever the situation with academic positions, I anticipate a continuing strong market in contract and salvage archaeology. This should be the case particularly if Congress gets its act together on infrastructure projects. Contract archaeology takes place throughout the country.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Geology Instructor job market given the pandemic?
John Wood Ph.D.: I suspect the obvious answer here is that it will be competitive. I also suspect that employers will be looking for versatility, flexibility, and the ability to adjust to new and emerging circumstances. I would hope that for graduates of anthropology programs, the skills of ethnographic fieldwork would be more marketable than ever. Finding out what various others in various contexts are doing, thinking, feeling, and believing and then writing it up in a report that is accessible to others is going to be an increasingly useful skill set. It is a skill set for which cultural anthropologists and ethnographers are trained.
What experience really stands out on Geology Instructor resumes?
Kathryn Grow Allen: Participation in diversity and inclusion projects, organizations, and initiatives. There are a lot of these types of initiatives on college campuses right now and anthropology departments are often heavily involved in them. As the discipline aimed at understanding humans, many anthropology students are not only taught extensively about human diversity, they are also involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives. College students who are an active part of these types of experiences in school will be able to contribute knowledge and action to similar initiatives in their future company or industry.
Science communication and public engagement. For students interested in going on to graduate school in anthropology, there is a new focus on communicating the value of anthropological or scientific research to the public. These communication experiences can be with a school newspaper, social media engagement, writing articles or blog posts, YouTube channels dedicated to science education, public workshops at a local museum, school visits, or projects with community participation. Getting involved in science communication and public engagement will be heavily valued, least not because funding agency that provide the money to do scientific and anthropological research demand a comprehensible broader impacts statement. While this was a value before, I think its importance increased ten-fold in the last year and will redefine the skills deemed important in future researchers and anthropologists. The ability to articulate information, not just to others in your field but to the public in general, will be a standout experience for both graduate school and job applications.
Leadership roles: While these always stood out before, holding a leadership role in this past year of constant change looks even more impressive. Leading any student organization, research project, or work team through the pandemic will indicate experience with adaptation, innovation and resilience, skills needed in most industries and in graduate school.
What Geology Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kathryn Grow Allen: For students who want to go to graduate school, taking a gap year is not necessarily a bad thing (I took two)! That year can be a time to reflect and make sure you want to go to graduate school (rather than just enrolling because you're not sure what to do next). It also gives you time to ensure you've found the right graduate program for you. During a gap year (or years), build skills that will make you more successful in graduate school. These can be simple, such as solidifying time management techniques that work for your personality type so you can successfully juggle difficult course work, involvement in research, teaching, article and grant writing...the many different areas you need to be involved in during graduate school. Likewise, networking should be a high priority during a gap year and is truly a skill that gets easier the more you do it. Reaching out to people who are in your desired career field can be intimidating but a coffee with a senior member of the field can lead to a mentoring relationship or, at least, great insight into opportunities and practical advice from lived experience. Anthropology is a close community, connecting and building collaboration skills is incredibly important. This is true for students combining anthropology with another field (business, medicine, conservation) as well. Some other skills worth developing including ANY communication skills (writing, verbal, public speaking) and creating online content. Students should build a professional webpage or train in creating video and interactive medias. These technical skills will be extremely helpful in marketing oneself and one's work outputs.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Geology Instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Kathryn Grow Allen: For students going on to graduate school in anthropology, this will depend on the type of anthropology. Advancement in ancient and modern DNA technology will continue to grow in importance for biological anthropologists, technology that tracks environmental changes at endangered ancient sites will become vital for archaeologists, digital recording and communication technology will be imperative for cultural and linguistic anthropology initiatives. It is important to stay informed (and innovative!) with emerging technology that can be applied to your specific area of anthropology. More broadly speaking, however, all anthropology majors should train in digital content creation. This might mean becoming familiar with video software, basic website development tools, the ins and outs of getting ideas to spread (for example, familiarity with SEO and how to get your work consumed by a lot of people). It is more important than ever that anthropologists share widely how important understanding humanity is to just about any industry you can name. The idea that culture, human identity, and human history underlines everything going on in the world today cannot be overstated. Anthropologists, both those who earn masters and PhDs in the field and those who enter the work force with a bachelors, should be a part of communicating anthropology and its value when applied widely.