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Project geologist vs development geologist

The differences between project geologists 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 project geologist and a development geologist. Additionally, a development geologist has an average salary of $110,970, which is higher than the $94,932 average annual salary of a project geologist.

The top three skills for a project geologist include OSHA, data collection and technical reports. The most important skills for a development geologist are reservoir characterization, AFE, and production data.

Project geologist vs development geologist overview

Project GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Yearly salary$94,932$110,970
Hourly rate$45.64$53.35
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs6,80545,844
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a project geologist do?

The primary duties of a Project Geologist are to study composition, structure, history, and other aspects of the Earth's crust through the examination of rocks, minerals, and fossil remains. They also collaborate with specialists and technicians about aspects of their work.

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.

Project geologist vs development geologist salary

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

Project GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Average salary$94,932$110,970
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $156,000Between $71,000 And $171,000
Highest paying CityEl Paso, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Highest paying stateTexasTexas
Best paying companyClean HarborsChevron
Best paying industryManufacturingHospitality

Differences between project geologist and development geologist education

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

Project GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Project geologist vs development geologist demographics

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

Project GeologistDevelopment Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 79.6% Female, 20.4%Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 83.1% 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 project geologist and development geologist duties and responsibilities

Project geologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and direct soil excavation projects at UST sites, pipeline leaks, and abandon oil fields.
  • Manage numerous UST closures and site restorations
  • Used GIS software such as ArcView and AutoCad to prepare maps and figures for reports.
  • Perform various tests and procedures to ASTM standards.
  • Generate report figures and sample location maps utilizing AutoCAD software.
  • Conduct unconfined compression tests for select core samples to ASTM standards.
  • 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

Project geologist vs development geologist skills

Common project geologist skills
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 5%
  • Geotechnical, 4%
  • Data Management, 4%
  • GIS, 3%
Common development geologist skills
  • Reservoir Characterization, 22%
  • AFE, 7%
  • Production Data, 6%
  • Well Log, 6%
  • Petrel, 6%
  • Log Analysis, 6%

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