Registered professional geologists are required to pass a state administered professional geology exam to be certified.
Registered professional geologists generally make larger salaries than geologists who are not registered. To become a registered professional geologist, you must have at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field and four years of professional experience, and pass the license exam for geology administered at the state level. As of 2011, 28 states in the United States administered exams for professional geology.
Registered Geologists in Petroleum
Registered geologists who specialize in petroleum exploration are the highest paid in their field. According to Geomore.com, a registered geologist with a bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of experience in the petroleum field can make an average of $99,000 per year. This is salary only and does not include benefits or bonuses. The majority of geologists in the petroleum industry have a master's degree. Geologists who are registered and have a PhD garner even great salaries, bringing in an average of $153,000 per year with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Registered Geologists in Mining
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a mining and geological engineer ranged from $48,950 to $129,700. Registered geologists who specialize in mining will use their skills to make geological and topographical surveys of the earth and may be responsible for assisting with mine safety evaluations. The salaries for these positions may vary with location and also vary with experience and level of education.
Registered Geologists in the Public Sector
Registered geologists who work in the public sector in the oil and gas industry may make lower salaries than in the private sector, but still garner substantial wages. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 the average salary of a public sector geologist in oil and gas extraction was approximately $55 per hour or about $129,000 per year. Education, experience and a professional license all contribute to a higher salary in the private and public sectors. Public sector geologists may work for federal organizations, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as in the military.
Considerations
As a registered geologist, your salary is dependent on your education level, experience and where you live, and whether you work in the public or the private sector. According to Geomore.com, the most significant contributing factor to wages in the geology field are education and experience. Education also includes certification or registration as a professional geologist by the National Association of State Boards of Geology. As a geologist, it is well worth the time and effort to obtain your professional certification.
