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Project geologist vs field geologist

The differences between project geologists and field 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 field geologist. Additionally, a field geologist has an average salary of $109,947, 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 field geologist are data collection, geotechnical, and well design.

Project geologist vs field geologist overview

Project GeologistField Geologist
Yearly salary$94,932$109,947
Hourly rate$45.64$52.86
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs6,80545,359
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 83%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
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 field geologist do?

A Field Geologist is specialized in a certain field of geology, such as minerology, paleontology, or geotechnology. They study the earth's crust to obtain an accurate picture of its structure, history, and composition.

Project geologist vs field geologist salary

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

Project GeologistField Geologist
Average salary$94,932$109,947
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $156,000Between $65,000 And $185,000
Highest paying CityEl Paso, TX-
Highest paying stateTexas-
Best paying companyClean Harbors-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between project geologist and field geologist education

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

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

Project geologist vs field geologist demographics

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

Project GeologistField Geologist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 79.6% Female, 20.4%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
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, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between project geologist and field 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.
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Field geologist example responsibilities.

  • Establish an LLC and learned the fundamentals of running and managing a small business.
  • Prepare maps by positioning and plotting GPS points from localities find onto current geological maps.
  • Collect soil and rock samples and classify according to ASTM national guidelines.
  • Rely upon to handle geological rock samples classification and description with ASTM standards.
  • Interpret rate of penetration, gas data, and MWD gamma data to call formation tops.
  • Work in a team with geologists, MWD loggers, drillers, engineers, and practice safety procedures.
  • Show more

Project geologist vs field geologist skills

Common project geologist skills
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 5%
  • Geotechnical, 4%
  • Data Management, 4%
  • GIS, 3%
Common field geologist skills
  • Data Collection, 11%
  • Geotechnical, 9%
  • Well Design, 7%
  • Site Assessments, 6%
  • Water Samples, 6%
  • Technical Reports, 5%

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