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Senior Geologist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Nalley Consulting

Geologist - Sr

Reston, VA · On-site

Geologist LCAT: Senior Location: Reston, Virginia This position is contingent upon award. Required clearance: TS/SCI with willingness to take CI poly. Candidates with current CI poly taken within the ...

Nalley Consulting

Geologist - Sr

Reston, VA · On-site

Geologist LCAT: Senior Location: Reston, Virginia This position is contingent upon award. Required clearance: TS/SCI with willingness to take CI poly. Candidates with current CI poly taken within the ...

Nalley Consulting

Geologist - Mid

Reston, VA · On-site

Geologist LCAT: Mid Location: Reston, Virginia This position is contingent upon award. Required ... Ability to communicate highly technical analyses at a level comprehensible to laymen and senior ...

Nalley Consulting

Geologist - Mid

Reston, VA · On-site

Geologist LCAT: Mid Location: Reston, Virginia This position is contingent upon award. Required ... Ability to communicate highly technical analyses at a level comprehensible to laymen and senior ...

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All JobsGeologist JobsSenior Geologist JobsSenior Geologist Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Geologist information

See Reston, VA salary details

$14.1K

$118.8K

$176.7K

How much do senior geologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior geologist in Reston, VA is $118,842.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,400.00 and $142,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Geologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Geologist, you need strong expertise in geological mapping, data analysis, and field investigation, typically supported by an advanced degree in geology or earth sciences and several years of industry experience. Familiarity with GIS software, modeling tools, and data management systems, as well as certifications like Professional Geologist (PG), are commonly required. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help manage teams and convey complex information to stakeholders. These competencies ensure the accurate interpretation of geological data, effective project management, and informed decision-making in exploration or environmental projects.

How much do senior geologists get paid?

Senior geologists typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. They often have specialized skills in geological analysis, report writing, and use of tools like GIS software, which can influence salary levels.

What does a senior geologist do?

A senior geologist studies Earth's materials, processes, and history to assess natural resources, environmental conditions, and geological hazards. They often lead field investigations, analyze data using specialized software, and prepare reports to support exploration, development, or environmental management projects.

Is there a high demand for geologists?

The demand for senior geologists remains steady due to ongoing needs in natural resource exploration, environmental assessment, and hazard analysis. Employment opportunities are often influenced by industry activity, technological advancements, and environmental regulations, with skills in GIS and fieldwork being highly valued.

What are the main challenges a Senior Geologist faces when managing field teams and projects?

Senior Geologists often juggle multiple projects simultaneously, which requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. A significant challenge is coordinating diverse field teams, often working in remote or challenging environments, to ensure safety and data accuracy. Additionally, they must adapt to evolving project scopes and regulatory requirements, all while mentoring junior staff and maintaining clear communication across multidisciplinary teams. Proactive problem-solving and flexibility are essential to overcome these hurdles and deliver successful project outcomes.

Which is the highest paid geologist?

Senior geologists with extensive experience, specialized skills, and work in high-demand industries such as oil and gas or mineral exploration tend to earn the highest salaries. In some cases, geologists with advanced degrees and professional certifications can reach top-tier compensation, often exceeding $100,000 annually. Salary varies based on location, industry, and level of expertise.

What Does a Senior Geologist Do?

As a senior geologist, your responsibilities are to oversee geological operations and site investigations where you and your team collect samples, locate mineral or natural resource deposits, and assess the geological stability or characteristics of a site. Other tasks include testing and analyzing samples and developing action plans based on your findings. Geologists work in numerous fields, including mining, petroleum or natural gas exploration, construction, and government. Your duties may differ depending on the industry in which you work.

What is the difference between Senior Geologist vs Geoscientist?

AspectSenior GeologistGeoscientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Geology, extensive field experienceBachelor's or higher in Geoscience or related field, often entry to mid-level
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, site assessments, data analysisResearch, data interpretation, laboratory work
Industry UsageMining, oil & gas, environmental consultingResearch institutions, government agencies, energy companies

Senior Geologists typically have more field experience and take on leadership roles in exploration and site assessment projects. Geoscientists often focus on research, data analysis, and supporting exploration efforts. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Senior Geologists usually have more practical experience and responsibilities in project management.

More about Senior Geologist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Geologist jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Geologist jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Geologist jobs in Reston, VA? For Senior Geologist jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Geologist jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Geologist jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Geologist jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Geologist job openings:
Senior Geologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Geologist job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 89% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,842 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Geologist - Sr

Nalley Consulting

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position: Geologist
LCAT: Senior
Location: Reston, Virginia
This position is contingent upon award.
Required clearance: TS/SCI with willingness to take CI poly. Candidates with current CI poly taken within the past seven years will be prioritized.
Required experience: At least 11 years
Required education (Senior): Bachelor's degree in Geoscience, Geophysics, Hydrogeology, and 15+ years of experience or master's degree and 11+ years of experience.
Description
Nalley Consulting has an outstanding opportunity for a Geologist to support on-going research and development efforts and develop new business in technologies for functional characterization of WMD facilities and their associated design.
Join us as a Geologist and become a key player in characterizing large-scale and small-scale industrial, commercial, and institutional projects. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and driving innovation in reverse engineering structural processes, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.
The successful candidate will:
  • Characterize the structure of WMD facilities, some of which are clandestine
  • Conduct reverse engineering
  • Design and calculate precise load calculations, system sizing, and performance predictions
  • Create and refine detailed technical drawings and schematics
  • Spearhead projects from vision to reality, delivering on time and within budget
  • Collaborate seamlessly with project managers, architects, and contractors
  • Present compelling project reports and updates to stakeholders
  • Dive deep into geologic science analysis to uncover fault exploitation opportunities
  • Advance reverse engineering capabilities
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and continuous learning environment
  • Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies
Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Geology or similar
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively within or lead a team of peers, as well as excellent interpersonal and communications skills
  • Ability to communicate highly technical analyses at a level comprehensible to laymen and senior-level government representatives
  • Ability to clearly express in writing technical analysis results
  • Practical experience in geology
  • Research and Development of new tools and methodologies to understand and reverse engineer processes and support systems at remote WMD-related facilities
Other desired skills:
  • Demonstrated ability writing ICD 203 and ICD 206-compliant finished intelligence production
  • 15 years of experience in solving DoD engineering/science problems
  • Military or defense-related experience and an understanding of operational planning and functional defeat of hard targets and underground facilities
  • Experience conducting analyses of hard and deeply buried underground facilities and the surrounding geology under applied loads, environmental conditions, and weapons effects.
  • Experience examining seismic, electrical, or electromagnetics data to characterize underground facilities and hard and deeply buried targets.

ABOUT NALLEY CONSULTING
Nalley Consulting is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business working with prime partners to staff Department of Defense and Intelligence Community positions. Created by a U.S. Navy intelligence veteran, Nalley Consulting has grown to include multiple IDIQ vehicles in several states.
Nalley Consulting fringe benefits include:
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • PTO
  • 11 paid federal holidays
  • Tuition assistance
  • Paid military-reserve leave
  • Paid parental leave for birth or adoption
  • 401k matching up to 5 percent of the base salary
  • Flex time
  • Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.

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