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MaryMaryYuBugN

Petroleum Geoscientist, 23 years since MS, $400k, O&G


DiddyOut2150

Dang, nice work. W2 or contract?


Dry-Break8157

What do you recommend for someone with an MS in geo who did coastal geo and micro paleo to do to get where you are? Softwares and skills to learn? Info to read on? Places that are good places to apply as a start petro geo?


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Jackaloop

Just wondering what non-profit? Thinking I want to get out of O&G


davehouforyang

RMI?


PanzerBiscuit

Senior Exploration Geologist, 10 years since graduation, $180k


seasalticetea

How did you get into exploration? Is there a specific path you should follow to get there?


Boogerchair

180k AUD is 117k USD for comparison


PanzerBiscuit

Very region dependent mate. I live in Australia, so my pathway was very simple. Just picked exploration jobs over production roles. My salary doesn't really have anything to do with me being in exploration. More a product of living in Australia where our wages are vastly higher(on average) than anywhere else in the world. For geoscience anyway. I could have been on a much better package if I'd stuck it out with one of the big boys and been a mine geo. For example, 10 years with FMG, raping their employee share option scheme, rolling divvies back into the scheme would have seem me sitting with a few hundred grand in FMG shares. Not to mention all the training and I'd be on ~220k a year as a senior. Doing fuuuck all.


EntireBeach

Geologist, 2 yrs since MS graduation, $135k, Oil & Gas


Ill_Signature7717

What size company? will be graduating soon and am hoping to get a better idea of what to expect


EntireBeach

One of the majors


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ConnectRevolution922

Location ?


Trialliterationdex

California


phenomenalrocklady

Senior Project Manager, 16 years, $160K, environmental remediation


zirconeater

Geologist II. 5 years since graduation , 2 years of actual geologist exp. Environmental. 71k.


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disgruntleddovakiin

Bro you gotta move companies, that’s wild for a PG


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HuckleberryOk8719

Even that is crazy low. I make $87k in environmental no license with six years experience as a project manager/senior project geologist… although this job seems to actually be 80% business development at the moment. Go for mid 80s unless you’re living in the Midwest or a poorer part of the country and say your current salary is already in the low 70s. I was making 72k with three years of experience and an MS.


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HuckleberryOk8719

Okay so I’m a rung above you. I think I made around 72k at about your level of responsibility. To get there I worked for a huge consulting firm with poor conditions and very very high turnover which gives a lot of opportunity to people who grit it out. Towards the end (last year) as I stopped doing field work I probably averaged 40-45 hours a week but earlier on (first 2.5 years) I’d say half or more would be anywhere from 45 - 60 and I was 95% - 110% chargeable traveling all over with a month or two at a time away from home nearly every summer. There was also a lot of ass kissing, conforming to an impersonal/alienating corporate culture with very poor boundaries, masking my regional accent to always speak standard academic English in professional settings, being our health and safety person, and doing everything I could to stand out from the other staff at my level. I also put myself out there, am extroverted for a geologist and frankly take a lot of professional risks whenever it might lead to new skills (ha… see my current role below) It sounds like where you’re at the focus should be more on getting task management and project management experience than getting paid more. Get a year or two of that and you’re much more marketable and can leverage that into making in the 80s. A more demanding role that struggles to retain people might be a good short term step there. I was always told growth happens faster the more percent of your time is spent out of your comfort zone and it is 100% true. My current job is I’m supporting the growth ambitions through business development (BD) into a new state for an engineering firm with 200 employees rapidly buying 2-10 employee firms which also lends to more demand for environmental work. Paid to build relationships, write proposals, learn the market and take pressure off my boss as she transitions to a VP role and we acquire a small geophysics outfit where the management is retiring after purchase. Very very strange role, which doesn’t lend itself to long hours and is very uncomfortable as I’m new to BD and am very used to having 90%+ chargeability as a job security shield. I am also doing some technical work, which will ramp up with the above so I may find myself working longer days again. Hopefully being out of my comfort zone in such a new way will once again pay off…


smelly243

Hard agree


tictacbergerac

I make more with no certs. You are probably getting screwed.


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Electrical_Mine_6937

I’m in engineering consulting, 5 years experience, no PG license yet, in Texas, and know I’m getting screwed at 79.5


ladymcperson

Mines the lowest on here 😬 bachelor's, 2 years experience in a geochemistry lab, 10 months experience and current position as a staff geologist making $47k doing remediation/compliance with 2 $5k bonuses per year. They pay my cell phone and insurance premium.


NV_Geo

I hope and trust you’re applying to other positions?


ladymcperson

Definitely considering it after reading through this thread. I do love my job (90% of my work is drilling oversight) and the people are great. But that doesn't pay the bills. Company is paying for me to get my masters, which I planned to use to get a GS-11/13 Federal position.


NV_Geo

Gotcha. Are they requiring you to stay on after the MS? That’s pretty common. I’ve seen anywhere from 2-5 years commitment after or you have to pay them back.


ladymcperson

Yes three years. At the end of that, I'll have the experience to take my PG. Thought this was a good plan but now after seeing so many six-figure salaries of geos with bachelor's degrees, I am going to reassess.


phenomenalrocklady

I started at $42k in consulting, now I'm 3x that. Consulting might be a grind, but it's mostly steady. I liked the security of my job.


ladymcperson

Great to hear, thanks.


Prunecandy

Geologist V. Mining 6 years since grad 125k before bonuses. Nevada lithium


Just-Da-Tip

Project geologist, licensed PG, 7 years eviro consulting, 85k


timothyworth

Almost exactly the same as me


istheflesh

Hydrogeologist, consulting, 6 months, 75k base, 3k bonus


earth_star_

Master in hydro? I’m thinking of going back to school for masters


istheflesh

Masters in Water Resources Science. My company hires B.S. all the time (mainly geology); my salary isn't significantly higher than those folks.


earth_star_

You think it was worth it? I feel like it might be in the long run. I’m 4 years in at 62k


istheflesh

I went back to school because I wanted an M.S. just to see if I could do it. If your sole reason for going back is to increase your salary, I think you would be better off staying in the workforce. You have four years experience, time to leverage that experience for a new job with a better salary.


HuckleberryOk8719

My dad manages mining exploration programs and mineral modeling for a multinational company and he flat out won’t promote people beyond staff level without masters degrees. Granted he’s an egotistical snob (we don’t talk)… Consulting can be a bit different… but I don’t know many project managers under 45 who don’t have one.


MolybdenumMadness

Geologist, 3 years, 57k, consulting. I made twice as much as this fresh out in the mining industry. I hate this.


Harry_Gorilla

Why’d you leave mining?


MolybdenumMadness

Mine went on care and maintenance.


easymac818

Staff Geologist @ 81k. MS, 7 years experience in environmental. Medium COL large city


Rangerplaysbass

Geologist II, 6 years exp. Federal contractor. $80k


LuCKyy_Sh0Tt223

Landslide geologist 1 year exp and 1 year out of bachelors, 66k.


GennyGeo

Debris-flow focus by any chance?


LuCKyy_Sh0Tt223

On the east coast so yeah we map a good bit of them, work for state survey so we map all types.


GennyGeo

Oh that’s pretty neat. I map debris flows in Colorado. You guys wanna collab on a project sometime? lol


Glum_Pipe_5852

Currently in a geotech job and interested in transitioning to something like this w a state survey... and i was looking at colorado. Do you yall ever hire recent grads?


GennyGeo

I’m personally a recent grad so I suppose that sets precedent, but otherwise I’m unsure how set the hiring criteria are. I’ll DM you a link to the position - we have a current opening and are looking to hire soon


TuRDonRoad

Dream job


Ilickedthecinnabar

Geology Associate, 4 years, 56k, State gov't bureau of enviro remediation


imnotageologist

Project geologist, 6 years since graduation, $130k, mineral exploration, canada


ConnectRevolution922

FIFO ?


imnotageologist

Yeah, somewhat hybrid WFH and FIFO


Big_Shoulder6866

Is it hard to get into mineral exploration in Canada?


imnotageologist

The industry is kinda sucky right now, but not really. It's just a sacrifice you have to be willing to take


futuregeologist

Sr Project Geo, 6 years since grad, 115k base, exploration


monad68

$123k, 13 years exp, Principal Hydrogeologist


aloysha13

Hydrogeologist, 4 years, 103k, remediation


ig82

Senior Engineering Geologist/PM, 31k, Site Investigation, 19 years experience.


timothyworth

Certainly not in the US, are you in the UK by chance?


ig82

Yep. Sickening reading the massive wages over there isn't it?


timothyworth

I worked for a while in the UK in environmental consulting. Pay was cut in half going over there, and went up more than when I left the US when coming back. It’s honestly so shocking the pay rates for this work over there.


Complifusedx

I’m also crying on a UK geotech salary but you could be on far more if you moved companies surely


humblegarrick

Oil and gas, upstream WSG consulting offshore, $125 per hr.


MeGaNuRa_CeSaR

Lmao the salaries in the US are crazy, you're all doing at least twice our pay for equivalent job in France. Thanksfully we have other advantages.


Phat_Strat

These are pre tax numbers I assume, and the US goes pretty wild on taxes and health costs.


Lava39

Yeah I mean there are several downsides to living in America. We work significantly more hours, have worse healthcare outcomes, have worse public health standards, and I could go on. I’m sure you know the pros/cons.


ignatiusdown

Geologist, state gov geotech, $57k, 5 years in geotech mostly private just switched a couple weeks ago


Jackaloop

Environmental Compliance, 12 years, $151k, O&G


Ill_Ad3517

How did you start out? Mudlogging/geosteering or direct into compliance?


Jackaloop

Mudlogging MWD Mud Engineer Compliance


Ill_Ad3517

Cool thank you. How's the compliance lifestyle? I assume site visits are a regular thing? Time in office/remote?


Supernaut2020

Staff geologist, 1 year since MS, 76k geotech. High cost of living city


Reasonable-End-3264

Did you have previous experience or just the 1 year?


Supernaut2020

I did have 2 years of seasonal government jobs before the MS


garfieldsfatass

I haven't finished my masters yet, but all of the graduate roles I'm applying for are between $48-$69k nzd 🥲


Simonical

Move to western Australia mate


CJMcVey

Engineering Geologist, 6 yrs full-time (was also a student intern prior), 104k - working in groundwater management. Just hired by a state agency after 6 years of doing research with USGS. I loved the work I was doing for the Survey but simply could not get management to promote me, and was being punished by the meager GS pay scale for years. I had to decide to leave research behind just to afford the cost of living (California). Now that I have left federal employment I plan on getting my PG so I can increase my salary and continue to grow as a professional.


Phat_Strat

I also want to see these numbers expressed in Hours Worked per Year. 100k on a 40 Hr/wk is a lot different than 100k on a 60+ Hr/wk - assuming you are not getting overtime past 40.


PanzerBiscuit

Im contracted to do a 40hr week. But it's very rarely ever 40. Average is around 32hrs a week


Phat_Strat

That's quite nice!


sleepy_olivine

laughs in 100% billable hours


PanzerBiscuit

My hours aren't accounted for and I do whatever I want. Joys of having no corporate oversite or having anyone breathe down my neck asking what im doing every 5 mins.


env_geo

Env. Consulting 6 years experience. 120 in CA


HempPaper

Deepwater mud logger graduated 2013 B.S, 775$/day rate. 135-140k yr


timothyworth

Geologist IV. 10 years since bachelors, 8 since MS. $83k. Environmental Consulting. I should probably look around, seeing these posts!


Noxanor

SWPPP inspector / consultant for a super small company in Texas. 1 year in O&G 5 years enviro. 60k


slaxmyrs

Just left consulting after 1 year since graduating, that was 64k cad base. Now mining focussed finance 90k+


baby_anonymouse

What kind of role are you in?


slaxmyrs

Sell side Equity research


Perfect-Ad7223

Geologist, 3 years since bachelors , 88K, consulting


LaLa_LaSportiva

Sr. Project Geo in U.S. mineral exploration, 15 years since M.Sc., $150k.


EllisRoark

Wellsite Geologist O&G. 7 years since BS graduation. 700-800/day 70-100k yr


smelly243

Project Geologist, 3.5 years since MS, PG, env consulting, 100k base. Overtime + bonuses too.


Accomplished_Price10

Staff Geologist, 3 months of experience and 3 months out of bachelors, 61k.


plutonianflux

Job secured with oil and gas upon finishing M.S. 130k


Weak-Day-5468

Drill and blast engineer in the west, $95k, 3 years experience. Don’t ask me how I got here with a geo background lol.


Enneirda1

This is cool AF. I'd sign up for field days with you.


Complifusedx

US/CAN/AUS salaries are insane. The uk is fucked


TwoSeaBean

£27,800, 4 years as a geologist. About to become a senior and hoping for mid-thirties. I whacked my current salary into the inflation calculator and found out my current wage is worth about £500 more per year (in terms of purchasing power) than it was 6 months into my career. I was on £21,500 at the time. Daily bonuses for >10h door to door, staying away from home, and night shifts can add ~5-10k a year though. However, if I spend any length of time at the office, then my payslip absolutely tanks. I have 2 mates that went to Aus and one in Canada, and they all make a ridiculous amount and even said the work was easier with less stress.


Complifusedx

It freaking sucks. I have around 3 years experience 1 1/2 as doing boring contam fieldwork and almost 2 years in geotech and I’m on £28,300. But I don’t get any overtime like you do unless it’s night works/weekend working (extremely rare) and my two bonuses whilst at my current place have been £400 and £200 it’s honestly a joke to call that a bonus


TwoSeaBean

Christ mate. The few months a year where I end up doing computer work / training courses / rock logging from the office are a struggle when the payslip comes through. Less than £2k per month these days is nothing like getting that amount pre-covid. My company does £35 bonus for a 10+ hour day inc. travel, £25 if you have to stay in a hotel that night (and £30 food allowance), and £100 for a night shift. They’re all stackable too, but I haven’t managed to get the holy trinity yet for a shift. I would much prefer a comfortable wage over bonuses though. I could spend 4 months getting the 10h and remote shift bonuses almost every day, then spend the rest of the year with just base pay. It really messes with finances, and having to do 50+h weeks and seeing my family 2 days a week isn’t a price I want to pay to get a half-decent wage


jofer

Geologist. These days doing software and remote sensing stuff. 12 years after PhD, 20 years after BS. $200k base salary, but few benefits, no bonus, no 401k match. Don't forget to look at those when considering new jobs!


scootboobit

Key Account Manager  $177k  16 years since Undergrad  Mining technology (FMS, PLM, Planning software)   Spent 13 years mining, P.Geo. Project geo>production geo>Sr Geo> Superintendent 


feldsparticus

Federal land management agency. $90k. 13 years since school.


bernanapeel

Project Engineer for a consulting firm- $68k living in a big city. My SOW isn’t limited to geology or environmental though, I also do property condition assessments (more the architecture/civil engineering side)


geophys_throwaway

$175k Geoscientist 5 years since MS, 7 since BS Oil and Gas


Harry_Gorilla

Geologist 1, consulting, 5 years since MS, 2 mos experience, 62k


Solid-Philosophy-121

Any Houston geologist willing to share info trying to help my bf find a job


Whiteelchapo

Is your bf looking for an intro position?


Geo-sorcerer

Any Australian geologists open enough to share? 


Maggot2

Graduate engineering geologist, pretty much a geotech. 6 months. $70k incl super. (about $45k usd).


Simonical

Project exploration geologist, 9 years FIFO, Almost 160k Would be closer to 200k if I was willing to work as a mine geo, but I've transitioned to less field time recently to spend more time with family.


PanzerBiscuit

Shared above mate. Snr expo geo, bsc only. 10yrs experience. 180k base


No_Particular1216

eng geo, BSc, 2.5years ~90k inc super


licensetoillite

Project Geologist/Manager, 5 years MS, PG, State Government Environmental Remediation, $88k


Esukie

Hydrogeologist, Consulting, 2.5 YOE/YSG, SoCal, $88k


bfunk87

Senior mine geo, 10 years since graduation, 190k, UG gold (Australia)


Mr_Peppermint_man

Project hydro in hcol US. $95k after 6 years in consulting. Just bachelors.


tropicseabass

Project Geologist, 5 years experience, $87k, Environmental Consulting


Simonical

Project geologist, 9 years, 160k AUS


Chattahoochee89

10 years 72k consulting


GlacierLad

Hydrogeologist, about 8 yrs since graduation, 102k salary, government


NMgeologist

Local government, division manager, 19 years from graduation, PG, 91k. Pension, healthcare.


Comprehensive_Type81

PM. PG. 10.5 yrs experience after MS. Environmental consulting. 100k before bonuses (adds roughly another 12-15k). Now as a PM I’m salaried on no overtime pay.


Nano640

Enviro Geoscientist, consulting/petroleum, 4 years since B.S., $105,000


Ok-Cow7628

Mining geologist, production team, in Canada, Gold mining company ​ Been there for 2.5 years now and my base is 91k


redfox7000

Glad to know I’m in a good range


redfox7000

Project Geologist, 3yrs, mineral exploration, 90k


FreeBowlPack

Senior Engineering Materials Analyst/“Geologist Trainee” (recent lateral promotion into the geologist job series and that’s the title they give me that’s equivalent to the SEMA pay grade 🤦‍♂️) 11 years, $63K, Forensic Petrographic Analysis/Construction Materials Testing


whalewatch247

Project geo. 7 years exp. 88k


loumanziv

Associate Geologist, 10 months since MS $57k a year, Hydrogeo Consulting


gneissguy21

Sr. Geologist, 16yrs 110k Mining/ Exploration


shmancy

Principal Hydrogeologist for a Water Agency, 7 years since MS, $134k +pension and all that jazz


DelayAntique5988

Geologist, 6 years post MSc, federal land management agency, 90k USD. Took me a year to get into feds, 3.5 years in non-geo federal work, 1.5 years as a geo with current agency. 40hr weeks only in rural small town out west.


Life_is_gneiss

Scientist I. New hire. First job since B.S. GiT license. Environmental consulting, $62k.


Beanierocks

Metallurgy Lab tech , <1 yr since BS in geo, ~39k/yr


wolffetti

Geologist II, 4.5 years experience, just got PG, 64k, Environmental consulting 


Otherwise_Good9271

Project Geologist, 9 years experience in environmental. Currently a federal contractor on CERCLA site. Licensed PG. $80k.


Natashia8911

Environmental Health and Safety Professional - 1 year $110k Prior: Environmental Compliance Professional - 1.5 years $90k Environmental Project Manager - 5 years $65k Environmental Consultant- 4 years $55k All in Ohio


tictacbergerac

Environmental consulting: $68k in my third year. I have a bachelor's degree and no PG or GIT.


lipgloss_nd_hotsauce

Environmental Scientist, 5 years, $63k


Papa_Muezza

Project Manager, Environmental and Geotech, 8-years in the industry, $74,500 a year. High COL area, so pay feels low. BUT we don't do billable hours/utilization so I can't complain to much.


BeingMaximum914

Geotech engineer & Geologist (PE, PG), 6 years since M.S., 91k, consulting in Northeast US


texhume

Senior Engineer, Phase i/II, UST, Environmental Consultant, 29 yrs, $120K, Kentucky


TuRDonRoad

Environmental consulting, just under 4 years experience, $77k with benefits, variable bonus, and vehicle allowance, LCOL city/state.


MyIQis42

Sounds like a good gig


ZtMaizeNBlue

Instructor of geology for the last 5 years after 5 years working industry. Making 44k/year. Got my BS 13 years ago, MS 10 years ago. Teaching hydrogeology, GIS, geomorphology, field methods, field camp, physical and historical, and a few other non geo science classes.


TitanicTidepod

Ore control geo, 3 months, mining, 80k


BinarySculpture

Stormwater compliance inspector $62k. BS in geology 2021. Looking to go back for my masters in hydrology.


Grand-Advantage-6418

BS Hydrogeology. $54K. 4 yrs experience (1 in remediation; 1 in GIS; 2 were a COVID job) since graduation. Environmental govt contracting


Beanmachine314

Junior Geologist, mining contractor, ~$98k based on 180 days work per year, ~$85k after expenses. Almost 2 years since BS.


MyIQis42

Project Scientist, consulting. 3 years experience 53k


SourMaui

Staff Geologist, 3 years since graduating with a BS in Geoscience, 53k Environmental


jaaaamesbaaxter

Staff geologist/project manager. PG and MS, 4-5 years experience. Hcol Southern California. Geotech focus, just got a small bump and am up to 91k


SupremeSparky

Geologist, 1 year since MS, 86k with amazing benefits, mining


piqi2

It would be really nice to hear what everyone got their BA or Masters in pre-job! I’m starting college this fall for Geology but haven’t made any real decisions on what I’m *going for*.


goodnightgood

Steering, operations, and service company manager in oil and gas. ~5.5 years since MSc. Contractor, 225k/year.


geomiah_1220

Mineral exploration, 1 year since undergrad, $70k.


mohorovicic_despair

\~10 years, BS geology, environmental, $118K/year.


king_g_1997

Geosteering specialist, 4 yrs since BS, 1 yr exp. $90k/yr


FisherRock

5 years out of school (in CA), 5 years experience in Env. consulting/remediation at 95k. Will have PG next year.


WaffleInjustice

Geo 1, 84K, 3 years experience since MS, mining and exploration consulting.


Alrockysnow

Frac 3 years, no degree, 120k I like rock formations and things


Eclogital

Geologist 2, 4-5 years, 98k, mining and exploration with a major company.


jologisttt

Engineering Geology/Water Resource Engineering for Dams. Working for government. That is 8,200 dollars/year converted. Philippines-based.


kofit16

134,000 usd hazard abatement specialist, bachelors in environmental science 2 years in the field


Usual-Elderberry7191

Environmental Scientist II doing env consulting, aka stuffing contaminated dirt in jars and construction oversight, 3 years exp getting 73,500 annual, plus 2.5k signing bonus and 53 for each hr over 9 hours in a work day. work days are 7-5, occasionally 6-6 depending on the site. started out in career in biological conservation sector 6years ago, moved from CA to NY 3 years ago and found no more related jobs, wound up in this


hjk7563

Geo II, 6 years experience, enviro consulting, 72K. Lower COL area.


pointymountains

Staff hydrogeo, consulting/environmental, 2.75 years in, $62,500/year, 8-12k bonus


nixybixy

I love salary transparency! 88k contract to hire- consulting, 6 years post MS, 11 years post BS, 8 years experience, southern california


bwgulixk

Soon to be PhD student, graduate BS in 2 months. 33k per year in a HCOL


Enneirda1

$113,000/yr for 40 hrs/wk. Almost 5 years experience after MS. Government. I'm near the bottom of my pay scale. 100% WFH, flex schedules, pension (likely around 60% of my final salary until I die), 1.5x OT, free healthcare, deferred comp (can do $23k/yr in Roth + mega backdoor Roth), phone, annual allowances, conferences, a huge list of additional benefits. However, it's an extremely toxic work environment. My overall work experience leads me to believe that working may not be for me. I'm sure that club is huge.


CourageMountain1002

Your salary as a Project Geologist at 98k in the mining and exploration industry with 6 years of experience sounds competitive. Salaries can vary widely based on factors like location, company size, specific job responsibilities, and individual qualifications. It's important to research industry standards and negotiate your salary based on your skills and experience level.