Career comparison
Geoscientist vs. Petroleum Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Petroleum engineers earn more at the median ($144,910 vs. $101,920), while geoscientists usually get to work faster (4-year degree plus field camp of training). Geoscientists study the Earth’s rocks, water and processes to find resources and reduce hazards. Petroleum engineers design ways to extract oil and gas safely and efficiently.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Geoscientist | Petroleum Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $101,920 ($49.00/hr) | $144,910 ($69.67/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $59,330 – $200,230 | $81,440 – $253,200 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.1% (faster than average) | +2.0% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,800 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4-year degree plus field camp | 4-year engineering degree |
| Key credential | PG license | PE license |
| Work setting | Geoscientists split time between the field and the office.. | Petroleum engineers work in offices and at rigs and field sites.. |
What each job does
Geoscientist
- Map geology
- Collect samples
- Analyze data
- Model groundwater
- Assess hazards
Petroleum Engineer
- Plan wells
- Design drilling programs
- Design completions
- Model reservoirs
- Improve production
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information, travel, problem-solving, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as observation and problem-solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose geoscientist if…
- I love rocks and landscapes
- I like fieldwork
- I like data
Choose petroleum engineer if…
- I like math and geology
- I want very high pay
- I can handle cycles
Still torn? Take the Geoscientist fit quiz and the Petroleum Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, geoscientist or petroleum engineer?
Petroleum Engineers earn more at the median: $144,910 versus $101,920 for geoscientists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Geoscientists typically train faster (4-year degree plus field camp) than petroleum engineers (4-year engineering degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects geoscientists to grow +5.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.0% for petroleum engineers.