Astrogeologists

Employers

Approximately 26,300 geoscientists (including geologists) are employed in the United States. Only a tiny fraction of these workers specialize in the field of astrogeology. One major employer of astrogeologists is the U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, which receives nearly all of its funding from NASA. Other major centers for research in exogeology include the Lunar and Planetary Institute (https://www.lpi.usra.edu) in Houston, Texas; NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (https://lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov) in Moffett Field, California; the Planetary Science Institute (http://www.psi.edu) in Tucson, Arizona; and the Southwest Research Institute (https://www.swri.org) in San Antonio, Texas. Some astrogeologists hold faculty positions at colleges and universities and most of these combine their teaching with research.

There are many potential employers for geologists. The majority of geologists are employed in private industry. Some work for oil and gas extraction and mining companies, primarily in exploration. The rest work for business services, environmental and geotechnical consulting firms, or are self-employed as consultants to industry and government. The federal government employs geologists in the Department of the Interior (in the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation) and in the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Commerce. Geologists also work for state agencies, nonprofit research organizations, and museums.

Starting Out

After completing sufficient educational requirements, preferably a master’s degree or doctorate, the geologist may look for work in various areas, including private industry and government. For those who wish to teach at the college level, a doctorate is required. College graduates may also take government civil service examinations or possibly find work on state geological surveys, which are sometimes based on civil service competition.

Geologists often begin their careers in field exploration or as research assistants in laboratories. As they gain experience, they are given more difficult assignments and may be promoted to supervisory positions, such as project leader or program manager.