Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
SOC Code: 19-2042 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $103,251 | $139,880 | $176,488 | $213,117 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $101,379 | $138,237 | $175,115 | $211,973 |
| Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $99,736 | $136,739 | $173,742 | $210,746 |
| Midland, TX | $102,773 | $138,653 | $174,512 | $210,392 |
| Odessa, TX | $96,741 | $131,518 | $166,317 | $201,094 |
| Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $82,077 | $121,035 | $159,994 | $198,952 |
| Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $79,518 | $118,373 | $157,248 | $196,102 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $79,019 | $117,998 | $156,998 | $195,978 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $79,019 | $117,998 | $156,998 | $195,978 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $79,019 | $117,998 | $156,998 | $195,978 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | 49 | $83,832 |
| Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory | 45 | $126,645 |
| Oregon State University | 29 | $66,467 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | 28 | $93,673 |
| BP America Inc. | 19 | $104,511 |
| Battelle Memorial Institute | 17 | $113,002 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 15 | $69,395 |
| Schlumberger Technology Corporation | 14 | $133,857 |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 12 | $81,200 |
| Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. | 12 | $76,448 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70 | $99,035 |
| 2021 | 66 | $98,853 |
| 2022 | 52 | $88,033 |
| 2023 | 147 | $98,501 |
| 2024 | 261 | $106,294 |
| 2025 | 279 | $103,418 |
| 2026 | 48 | $103,582 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Science | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Writing | 3.9 | |
| Mathematics | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Geography | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.8 |
| Chemistry | 3.8 |
| Physics | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.6 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 43.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 37.5% |
| Post-first professional | 9.4% |
| Other | 6.2% |
| Master's degree | 3.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
- Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
- Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Adobe Photoshop Autodesk AutoCAD ESRI ArcGIS software Git Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word MySQL Python
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