How To Become an Environmental Geologist in 6 Steps

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Updated March 26, 2025

If you're interested in working to conserve the earth's natural resources, consider becoming an environmental geologist. These scientists complete specialized education and training to prepare for research related to fossil fuel use and pollution. It can be a rewarding career for those who enjoy analytical thinking and it comes with the possibility of working in government agencies, nonprofit organizations or private industries.In this article, we explain how to become an environmental geologist and discuss the work environment, average salary, job outlook and required skills for this career.

What is an environmental geologist?

Environmental geologists are scientists who study the way human activity affects the Earth's geology. They research the effects of fossil fuel use and other pollution on the water and soil of our planet and propose solutions to preserve the Earth. They also assess the risk of industrial development of the natural environment by studying soil and water conditions.Related: 12 Well-Paying Environmental Science Careers

What does an environmental geologist do?

Whether they work for the government, a nonprofit organization or a private firm, many environmental geologists perform similar tasks in their work. They usually divide their time between working in a lab and working outdoors in the field. Here are some common tasks for an environmental geologist:

Conducting field studies to assess the environmental conditions of an area
Collecting samples of water and soil from field sites to check for contaminants
Analyzing research data on geological conditions
Writing proposals for research projects
Directing environmental lab technicians or engineers on projects
Writing and publishing research reports or articles about environmental issues

How to become an environmental geologist

Here's how to become an environmental geologist in six steps:

1. Prepare for college

Colleges tend to look at a candidate's overall academic record, so it's important that you maintain solid grades in all of your high school courses if you plan to pursue a four-year or advanced degree in environmental geology or a related field of study. You can give yourself an advantage in the admissions process by taking challenging courses in science and technology subjects. You might also pursue volunteer opportunities relating to the environment to better determine if this career path interests you.Related: 10 Careers To Pursue With a Geology Degree

2. Complete a four-year degree

Most environmental geologist positions require a bachelor's degree, so consider a program in environmental geology, geology, environmental science or earth science. You may learn about topics like the Earth's chemical composition and development, resource management and environmental change. While a degree in environmental science or geology can give you an advantage in the hiring process, some employers might consider a candidate with a degree in a related field like engineering if they can show evidence of coursework in key areas.Related: What Are the Educational Requirements for Geologists?

3. Gain experience

You might choose to gain experience in environmental geology either during or after getting a four-year degree. Some degree programs offer internships or research assistantships to current students, allowing you to earn money or class credit while assisting a professor or expert in the field. You can also take an entry-level environmental geologist position after earning your degree to gain experience before deciding on a graduate course of study.These positions can help you develop your research skills and learn best practices for taking samples, analyzing data and reporting findings. You can also learn how experienced scientists organize their time and prioritize key tasks. Finally, you can use an entry-level or student position to build a network of professional resources who can help you with your graduate applications or later job search.Related: 20 Careers To Pursue With an Environmental Science Degree

4. Earn an advanced degree

If you want to earn a senior role as an environmental geologist, consider getting a master's degree or Ph.D. in environmental geology, environmental science or a related field. Typically, environmental geologists need an advanced degree to serve as a consultant, lead research teams or design their own studies. A graduate degree shows that you've mastered the content knowledge necessary to be a leader in the field, but it also shows that you have experience assisting in scientific research.Usually, master's programs in environmental science take two to three years of full-time study, but you may be able to work during that time depending on the time constraints and rules of your specific program. Ph.D. programs can last an additional two to three years, after which time you write and defend a dissertation. Different environmental geologist positions sometimes require different levels of education, so you might start by getting a master's degree, work for a few years, and then decide to go back for a Ph.D. to advance your career.Related: Types of Outdoor Degrees (With Career Options)

5. Complete a research fellowship

After earning an advanced degree, some environmental geologists apply for research fellowships. In a research fellowship, you can work for a government agency, university or research firm and hone your research skills while being paid for it. They often allow you to travel and work in diverse landscapes and study a wide range of environmental conditions.Fellowships are prestigious opportunities that can give you an advantage in the later hiring process as they can give you unique work experience that might set you apart from other candidates. A fellowship is also an opportunity to work closely with a professional mentor, who can help you perform research and even publish your results. The relationship you build with a mentor can help you throughout your career.Related: What Is a Mentor? (Plus Types, Qualities and Benefits)

6. Obtain certification

While there is no single certification necessary for becoming an environmental geologist, some companies or governmental agencies may require certain qualifications. Try browsing job posts you're interested in and determine which certifications they require. You can also ask a professor or mentor which certifications they recommend. Even if the job you want doesn't require certification, it may help you qualify for more advanced responsibilities or even a higher earning potential.Related: How To Write a Geologist Resume (With Example)

Where do environmental geologists work?

Some workplaces that employ environmental geologists include:

Government agencies
Nonprofit environmental organizations
Private research firms
Energy companies, including oil, coal, hydroelectric and solar power
Construction and property development companies
Environmental and engineering consulting firms
Colleges and universities

Environmental geologist salary and job outlook

An environmental geologist's salary may depend on various factors, including experience, position and location. The average salary for all environmental scientists is $59,456 per year. Depending on your workplace, you may be eligible for additional benefits including health insurance, 401(k) and tuition reimbursement. As for the job outlook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of all environmental scientists and specialists to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031.For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link provided.Related: 15 Jobs in Geoscience That Pay Well

Skills for environmental geologists

Along with their scientific knowledge, environmental geologists often use many soft skills in their daily work including:

Communication skills: Environmental geologists use communication skills to convey their research conclusions and recommendations to clients and colleagues. They may also present their findings at conferences and publish their research, requiring both oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills: Scientists often work in teams by listening to others' ideas and collaborating on projects to achieve research goals.
Prioritization and planning skills: Lead environmental geologists may plan research studies and experiments. They use their skills in prioritization and planning to set research goals, design experiments, assign team members to tasks and assess the effectiveness of research methods.

Related: How To Become a Geologist

Other environmental geologist careers

Here are three jobs related to environmental geology that might require different education and experience. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.

1. Hydrologist

National average salary: $81,237 per yearPrimary duties: Hydrologists are scientists who study water trends and measure the impact of environmental change on surface and underground water sources. They work for government agencies or private firms and work with other scientists to assess the health of bodies of water and make recommendations based on their findings. They also use data collection to find new sources of groundwater and predict future trends in water resources.

2. Environmental engineer

National average salary: $87,611 per yearPrimary duties: Environmental engineers design systems to solve ecological problems. They usually work for government agencies or private companies, building new technologies and methods to reduce waste, preserve resources and reduce damage to the environment from manufacturing or other activities. Environmental engineers take the research done by researchers like environmental geologists and apply the data to improve the way businesses work.

3. Environmental manager

National average salary: $86,722 per yearPrimary duties: Environmental managers are responsible for the ecological impact of a company or agency's actions. They work with researchers and engineers to measure the way a company or agency's actions affect the environment and then make decisions based on data and expert recommendations. They may manage a team of specialists or coordinators to make the adjustments needed to lessen a company's environmental impact.

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