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The differences between senior geologists and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a senior geologist, becoming an environmental specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior geologist has an average salary of $109,166, which is higher than the $54,482 average annual salary of an environmental specialist.
The top three skills for a senior geologist include project management, data collection and GIS. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Senior Geologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $109,166 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $52.48 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 811 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A Senior Geologist manages all geological activities and research, and provides guidance to junior team members. They assist geological supervisors to prepare an annual and long-term plan for geological work.
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
Senior geologists and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Geologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $109,166 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $186,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Corpus Christi, TX | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Texas | California |
| Best paying company | Statoil | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior geologist and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Geologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Geology | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between senior geologists' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Senior Geologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 82.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 16% |