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Petroleum Geologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Act as the geoscience subject matter expert for understanding geological concepts that includes sequence stratigraphy, structural geology, petroleum systems, and geo modeling. * Act as stakeholder ...

Geologist I

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$47K - $67K/yr

... and petroleum compounds as well as abandoned mine lands. The Geologist I will work out of our ... Lakewood, CO office either in the office or on field assignments. This role requires 50-70% travel ...

Act as the geoscience subject matter expert for understanding geological concepts that includes sequence stratigraphy, structural geology, petroleum systems, and geo modeling. * Act as stakeholder ...

Geologist 9-P11 - Limited Term

Lansing, MI ยท On-site

$25.03 - $42.18/hr

Required Education and Experience Education Possession of a bachelor's degree in geology or geological, petroleum or mining engineering. Experience Geologist 9 No specific type or amount is required.

Geologist 9-P11 - Limited Term

Lansing, MI ยท On-site

$25.03 - $42.18/hr

Required Education and Experience Education Possession of a bachelor's degree in geology or geological, petroleum or mining engineering. Experience Geologist 9 No specific type or amount is required.

... petroleum and other hazardous substances from leaking underground storage tanks. Note: Employees ... In addition, this position is responsible for providing technical assistance on geological and ...

Understanding and application of petroleum geology and petrophysical principles as they apply to reservoir characterization and development. * Field-level operations experience with the ability to ...

Understanding and application of petroleum geology and petrophysical principles as they apply to reservoir characterization and development. * Field-level operations experience with the ability to ...

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Petroleum Geologist information

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$46K

$88.3K

$142.5K

How much do petroleum geologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for petroleum geologist in the United States is $88,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a petroleum geologist?

Petroleum geologists are scientists who study the origin, occurrence, movement, accumulation, and exploration of oil and natural gas resources beneath the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to locate and evaluate potential oil and gas reserves. Petroleum geologists often work for oil companies, consulting firms, or government agencies, and play a key role in the energy industry by helping determine where to drill for oil and gas. Their work involves data analysis, field studies, and the interpretation of geological maps and seismic surveys.

What does a petroleum geologist do?

Petroleum geologists are geoscientists who have specialized skills and training regarding the extraction of raw petroleum fuels from the earth. They use cutting-edge technology to develop accurate estimations of how much fuel can be safely removed from a given area. They also oversee the extraction of this material.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a petroleum geologist?

To thrive as a Petroleum Geologist, you need a strong background in geology, geophysics, and sedimentology, typically supported by a degree in geology or earth sciences. Familiarity with seismic interpretation software, geological mapping tools, and data analysis platforms such as Petrel or GeoGraphix is crucial. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for interpreting data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and tools are vital for accurately identifying hydrocarbon reserves and optimizing exploration and production strategies.

What are some typical challenges a petroleum geologist faces when working on exploration projects?

Petroleum Geologists often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex subsurface data, dealing with incomplete or ambiguous geological information, and adapting to advances in exploration technology. They must collaborate closely with geophysicists, drilling engineers, and other specialists to integrate data and make informed drilling recommendations. Additionally, working in remote locations or under tight project deadlines can require flexibility and strong problem-solving skills.

What is the difference between Petroleum Geologist vs Geophysicist?

AspectPetroleum GeologistGeophysicist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Geology, often with certifications in petroleum geologyBachelor's or Master's in Geophysics or related field, sometimes with certifications in geophysical methods
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, core sampling, seismic data analysis, office-based interpretationSeismic data processing, modeling, computer-based analysis, field surveys
Employer & Industry UsageOil and gas companies, exploration firms, consulting agenciesOil and gas companies, exploration firms, research institutions

Petroleum Geologists focus on analyzing rock formations and geological data to locate oil and gas reserves, often working in the field and office. Geophysicists interpret seismic and geophysical data to identify subsurface structures. Both roles require strong technical skills and are vital in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, but they differ in their primary methods and focus areas.

What cities are hiring for Petroleum Geologist jobs?

Cities with the most Petroleum Geologist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Geologist jobs?

The most popular types of Petroleum Geologist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Petroleum Geologist jobs?

The top employers for Petroleum Geologist jobs are:

What states have the most Petroleum Geologist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Petroleum Geologist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Petroleum Geologist jobs?

For Petroleum Geologist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Petroleum Geologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,266 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Geologist (Map Editor)

A-Z List | U.S. Geological Survey

Lakewood, CO โ€ข On-site

$61K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Geologist (Map Editor) for the Science Publishing Network.
Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
This announcement is only open to the first 100 applicants. Once the application limit has been reached, the announcement will automatically close at 11:59 pm EST on the day the limit is reached, regardless of the established closing date.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/03/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine the number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND/OR Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

  • A. Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in geology. In addition to the geology course work included in the degree, it must also have included or been supplemented by 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography. You must submit transcripts.
-OR-
  • B. Combination of education and experience: combination of education and experience which includes 24 semester hours or equivalent in geology plus 20 additional semester hours or equivalent in a combination of courses specified in choice 1, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education totaling 4 years.

-AND-

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level:
  • Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience must include: assisting higher-level geologists in carrying out geologic assignments, compiling information and data onto geologic maps, writing up the results of the assignments, fact-checking, and ensuring that the written report matches the data and information collected. Additional examples of such experience may include copyediting geologic reports from other geologists into a larger compilation report; editing a regular newsletter, journal, or other professional communication product for public dissemination; or reviewing and editing other people's maps and text as part of preparing these products for publication. This work experience would have involved reviewing submitted work for technical mistakes not only in the geology, but also grammar, spelling, and punctuation; using some judgment in applying editorial style and consistency across multiple products from different authors; and would have required a good working knowledge of the principles of writing and editing, including sentence structure, overall organization and clarity, and editorial style.. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
  • Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in the fields described in the question above. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
  • Combination of education and experience: A combination of successfully completed higher level graduate education and specialized experience to meet the total qualification requirements for the grade level specified above. You must include hours per week and transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:

This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER