by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Geochemistry & Petrology explores Geochemistry And Petrology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Igneous, Metamorphic, And Hydrothermal Processes Within The Earth And The Mineral, Fluid, Rock, And Ore Deposits Resulting From Them. Includes Instruction In Mineralogy, Crystallography, Petrology, Volcanology, Economic Geology, Meteoritics, Geochemical Reactions, Deposition, Compound Transformation, Core Studies, Theoretical Geochemistry, Computer Applications, And Laboratory Studies. Continue reading for the essential details every geochemistry & petrology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geochemistry & petrology programs.
Studies in Geochemistry & Petrology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geochemistry & petrology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a geochemistry & petrology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a geochemistry & petrology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to geochemistry & petrology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.1% |
| Master’s degree | 28.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geochemistry & petrology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in geochemistry & petrology opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to geochemistry & petrology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geochemistry & petrology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of geochemistry & petrology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,682 |
| 4 years | $54,219 |
| 5 years | $61,701 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geochemistry & petrology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geochemistry & petrology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
Use our unbiased geochemistry & petrology school rankings to find the best fit for you.
Those considering geochemistry & petrology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 863 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 569 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 220 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Geochemistry | 33 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
