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Senior geologist vs geoscientist

The differences between senior geologists and geoscientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a senior geologist and a geoscientist. Additionally, a geoscientist has an average salary of $110,629, which is higher than the $109,166 average annual salary of a senior geologist.

The top three skills for a senior geologist include project management, data collection and GIS. The most important skills for a geoscientist are seismic data, oil gas, and data collection.

Senior geologist vs geoscientist overview

Senior GeologistGeoscientist
Yearly salary$109,166$110,629
Hourly rate$52.48$53.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs811302
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a senior geologist do?

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.

What does a geoscientist do?

A geoscientist specializes in studying geosciences and performing research and analysis. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around crafting research plans, conducting field mapping and studies to examine geological structures, gathering samples, obtaining photographic evidence, and conducting different experiments and scientific studies. As a geoscientist, it is essential to maintain an extensive record of data, summarize results in reports and presentations, and collaborate with different scientists. They may publish their studies in various publications, utilize them for other projects and programs, or raise public awareness.

Senior geologist vs geoscientist salary

Senior geologists and geoscientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior GeologistGeoscientist
Average salary$109,166$110,629
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $186,000Between $79,000 And $154,000
Highest paying CityCorpus Christi, TXMidland, TX
Highest paying stateTexasTexas
Best paying companyStatoilShell
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between senior geologist and geoscientist education

There are a few differences between a senior geologist and a geoscientist in terms of educational background:

Senior GeologistGeoscientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorGeologyGeology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Senior geologist vs geoscientist demographics

Here are the differences between senior geologists' and geoscientists' demographics:

Senior GeologistGeoscientist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 84.7% Female, 15.3%Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 5.7% White, 81.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between senior geologist and geoscientist duties and responsibilities

Senior geologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the installation of geophones, tiltmeters, inclinometers, passive vent wells, gas caps, and ORWs.
  • Provide technical GIS support to CRA staff including data acquisition, analysis, and presentation.
  • Supervise excavations of contaminate materials, collect groundwater, potable water, and surface water samples, and perform soil-gas surveys.
  • Lead coordinator and geologist for ComEd geotechnical and environmental sampling project to support infrastructure expansion.
  • Serve as principal-in-charge on geotechnical projects ranging in scope from engineering geologic assessments to foundation engineering studies.
  • Build geological, geophysical and geochemical models for integrate basin modeling, prospect generation, volume estimation and well planning.
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Geoscientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage, design and supervise geologic investigation drilling plans relate to environmental, geotechnical and mining projects.
  • Collect locality data using GPS hand-held units.
  • Perform temporary water line stake outs using Trimble GPS unit.
  • Advise on selecting models using Seisware, Petra, and PHDWin.
  • Utilize classical methodology and modern tools to create and maintain Petra databases.
  • Work in close coordination with EPA, PRPs, and other agencies as applicable.
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Senior geologist vs geoscientist skills

Common senior geologist skills
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • GIS, 8%
  • Geotechnical, 7%
  • Autocad, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
Common geoscientist skills
  • Seismic Data, 9%
  • Oil Gas, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Reservoir Characterization, 6%
  • Petrel, 6%
  • Geotechnical, 6%

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