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Geophysicist vs development geologist

The differences between geophysicists and development 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 geophysicist and a development geologist. Additionally, a development geologist has an average salary of $110,970, which is higher than the $105,067 average annual salary of a geophysicist.

The top three skills for a geophysicist include data collection, geophysical data and C++. The most important skills for a development geologist are reservoir characterization, AFE, and production data.

Geophysicist vs development geologist overview

GeophysicistDevelopment Geologist
Yearly salary$105,067$110,970
Hourly rate$50.51$53.35
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs28745,844
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a geophysicist do?

A Geophysicist studies the Earth's physical properties. They also examine the effects of the atmosphere on radio and satellite communications.

What does a development geologist do?

A Development Geologist is responsible for geological static modeling and database management. They report best-practice technological advances to management.

Geophysicist vs development geologist salary

Geophysicists and development geologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

GeophysicistDevelopment Geologist
Average salary$105,067$110,970
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $141,000Between $71,000 And $171,000
Highest paying CityMidland, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Highest paying stateTexasTexas
Best paying companyShellChevron
Best paying industryEnergyHospitality

Differences between geophysicist and development geologist education

There are a few differences between a geophysicist and a development geologist in terms of educational background:

GeophysicistDevelopment Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Geophysicist vs development geologist demographics

Here are the differences between geophysicists' and development geologists' demographics:

GeophysicistDevelopment Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 80.6% Female, 19.4%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 82.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 4.0% White, 83.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between geophysicist and development geologist duties and responsibilities

Geophysicist example responsibilities.

  • Plan, develop, manage and implement geological, geophysical, and geotechnical subsurface investigations.
  • Train and mentore staff to use internally develop methodologies by effective utilization of ProMAX and ProManager software to achieve optimum results.
  • Monitor regulatory compliance (CERCLA, RCRA, RWQCB, MTCA, VCP).
  • Produce field grade and final quality maps utilizing GPS data and integrate geophysical survey data in GIS.
  • Evaluate explosives, nitrates, volatile and semivolatile compounds, and metals contamination at multiple RCRA sites and one CERCLA site.
  • Implement small-scale tests in Matlab.
  • Show more

Development geologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the field budget, and liability of MWD field equipment.
  • Manage the installation of geophones, tiltmeters, inclinometers, passive vent wells, gas caps, and ORWs.
  • Create mineral rights lease maps utilizing ArcMap (GIS).
  • Correlate well logs using PETRA and other programs, and research production zones for solid and fluid minerals.
  • Prospect generation and development has been expedite by becoming proficient in Petra mapping software.
  • Review farm-out requests, prepare well prognoses, monitor area-drilling activity, and conduct miscellaneous well-site activities in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Show more

Geophysicist vs development geologist skills

Common geophysicist skills
  • Data Collection, 16%
  • Geophysical Data, 9%
  • C++, 8%
  • MATLAB, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Reservoir Characterization, 5%
Common development geologist skills
  • Reservoir Characterization, 22%
  • AFE, 7%
  • Production Data, 6%
  • Well Log, 6%
  • Petrel, 6%
  • Log Analysis, 6%

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