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Exploration Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Additional upside is provided by discoveries at the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020, together offering a clear and sustained growth pathway for Santos in Alaska. Pikka Phase 1 is ...

Additional upside is provided by discoveries at the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020, together offering a clear and sustained growth pathway for Santos in Alaska. Pikka Phase 1 is ...

The North American Exploration group supports the Red Dog Mine and Teck Alaska through the discovery and definition of additional mineral resources with the goal of extending the life of mine ...

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Exploration information

See Alaska salary details

$38.2K

$55.5K

$82.4K

How much do exploration jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for exploration in Alaska is $55,456.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,100.00 and $64,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Exploration job?

An Exploration job involves searching for and assessing natural resources such as minerals, oil, gas, or other valuable materials. Professionals in this field use geological surveys, remote sensing, and drilling techniques to locate and evaluate potential extraction sites. These roles are common in industries like mining, energy, and environmental research. Exploration jobs often require fieldwork in remote locations and collaboration with engineers, geologists, and scientists.

What jobs involve exploration?

Jobs that involve exploration include roles such as geologists, archaeologists, surveyors, and explorers, who investigate natural resources, historical sites, or uncharted areas. These positions often require fieldwork, specialized equipment, and knowledge of environmental or scientific principles.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

In exploration-related fields, high-paying roles such as oil and gas drillers, offshore workers, or specialized geologists can earn around $4,000 or more per week without requiring a college degree, often relying on technical training, certifications, and experience. These jobs typically involve physically demanding work in remote or challenging environments and may require safety certifications and on-the-job training.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In exploration-related fields, roles such as commercial divers, oil and gas drillers, and certain sales or business development positions can reach or exceed $200,000 annually through experience, commissions, or overtime. These jobs often require specialized skills, certifications, or physical endurance but do not necessarily require a college degree.

What are some of the main challenges faced in an Exploration role?

Professionals in Exploration often work in remote, sometimes harsh environments, which can present logistical and safety challenges. Managing unpredictable variables such as weather, terrain, and limited access to resources requires adaptability and preparation. Team collaboration is essential, as projects commonly involve interdisciplinary groups including geologists, engineers, and environmental scientists. You may also be required to spend extended periods away from home, depending on the project location. However, these challenges are balanced by the opportunity to make significant discoveries and contribute to resource development.

How to make $10,000 a month without a degree?

In exploration-related roles, earning $10,000 a month typically requires gaining specialized skills, experience, and often working in high-demand environments such as oil and gas, mining, or environmental consulting. Building expertise in technical areas, obtaining relevant certifications, and working in roles with high responsibility can increase earning potential without a degree.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Exploration position, and why are they important?

To excel in an Exploration role, you typically need a strong background in geology, earth sciences, or engineering, often supported by a relevant degree or field experience. Technical proficiency with GIS software, mapping tools, field sampling equipment, and sometimes certifications in safety or remote operations is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this profession. These qualities are vital because exploration work often involves challenging environments, complex data analysis, and close collaboration to identify and evaluate potential resource sites.

What are the most commonly searched types of Exploration jobs in Alaska? The most popular types of Exploration jobs in Alaska are:
What are popular job titles related to Exploration jobs in Alaska? For Exploration jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Exploration jobs in Alaska look for? The top searched job categories for Exploration jobs in Alaska are:
Infographic showing various Exploration job openings in Alaska as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,456 per year, or $26.7 per hour.

Senior Exploration Geologist

Alaska-Santos

Anchorage, AK

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

The Pikka Unit represents one of the largest conventional oil discoveries in the United States in the past 30 years, with the Pikka Phase 1 Project marking the most significant North Slope development in over two decades. Additional upside is provided by discoveries at the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020, together offering a clear and sustained growth pathway for Santos in Alaska.

Pikka Phase 1 is the flagship Nanushuk development in Alaska and the first in a series of planned projects. Early-phase technical excellence is essential, given the steep learning curve and the long-term impact of key development decisions. This is a pivotal period for the Alaska Business Unit, as we approach first oil from Pikka NDB, advance planning for Pikka NDC, Quokka, and Stirrup, and lay the groundwork for future growth through exploration efforts at Lagniappe and beyond.

Maintaining a lean organization while enabling long-term success requires highly capable personnel who are motivated, effectively deployed, and focused on value creation. The principal duties of the Senior Exploration Geologist is to mature exploration concepts, integrate all available subsurface information, proactively engage with technical peers and support business needs of the business unit.

Position Purpose

The Senior Exploration Geologist is a member of the Exploration & New Ventures Alaska Team and part of the Subsurface and Engineering organization. This role will be responsible for identification and characterization of plays and prospects within the Colville Basin on the North Slope of Alaska:

  • Generate value through application of sound scientific principles to identify and high-grade exploration and appraisal opportunities
  • Mature play and prospect portfolio through detailed mapping, depositional framework development, risk description and volumetric assessment
  • Integrate 2D and 3D seismic data with well and other subsurface information (regional and prospect specific; structural and stratigraphic)
  • Develop and apply stratigraphic concepts to refine the subsurface description

Formal Qualifications

  • Master's Degree or higher in geology

Skills/Technical Competencies

Mandatory:

  • Naturally inquisitive with high work ethic
  • Proven exploration experience in multiple geologic settings
  • Proficient in gross depositional environment mapping
  • Proficient regional and prospect mapper
  • High competency in Petrel / Studio software
  • Experience with shallow and deep marine depositional systems
  • A team player with a positive attitude and a 'customer service' approach to assisting others
  • Self-motivated with excellent time-keeping and organisational skills
  • High personal standards for technical analysis and impeccable attention to detail

Desired:

  • Experience across the spectrum of geologic scenarios
  • Proficient in applying seismic stratigraphic concepts
  • Competent in whole core description and integration
  • Field development experience

Experience

  • 15+ years' experience as a geologist specifically in the exploration & reservoir development disciplines