Geologist
Also known as: Exploration Geologist · Mine Geologist · Field Geologist
Studies rocks, minerals and groundwater to find resources and assess ground conditions for projects.
What you’d do
Studies rocks, minerals, soil and groundwater to locate resources such as ores, coal, oil and water, and to judge ground conditions for construction. Mining and exploration companies, oil and gas firms, consultancies and government departments hire geologists. Work splits between fieldwork (mapping, sampling, logging drill cores) and office work on maps, data and reports.
- Map rocks and collect field samples
- Log drill cores and boreholes
- Interpret geological and survey data
- Write field and exploration reports
How you get in
Most geologist posts expect a master's in Geology or Applied Geology. With a B.Sc, entry is usually as a field or exploration assistant with an exploration, mining or consultancy firm. After an M.Sc, routes include company hiring, GATE (Geology & Geophysics) for some PSUs, and the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination for central posts.
Salary in India
Fresher salary over the years
middle of the 0–1 yr range, ₹ lakh a year
Fewer than two years of fresher data so far — the trend shows once there are two.
Skills you’ll use
From our guide · a curated list is coming
- Field mapping and sampling
- Identifying rocks and minerals
- Core logging
- Reading and making geological maps (including GIS)
- Report writing
About this field · for freshers
Job openings by year
Is demand growing?
Not added yet.
Competition4
How many graduates enter each year?
B.Sc (all subjects) graduates in 2023-24 at institutions that reported to AISHE — everyone finishing that degree, not only those entering this role.
Who hires
IT firms, banks, government, startups?
Not added yet.
Where the jobs are
Which cities?
Not added yet.
Women in the field4
Is it diverse?
Share of women among B.Sc (all subjects) graduates in 2023-24 — the entry degree, not people already working in this role.
At a glance
- Long field stints in remote areas are common, especially early on.
- A master's is the usual entry level for geologist titles.
- Specialisations include exploration, mining, hydrogeology, engineering geology and petroleum geology.
Stay safe
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