Geology and the mining industry are naturally associated because of the expertise required to find and analyze potential deposits in bedrock. Because of that, many seeking a degree in geology will have their sights set on career opportunities in the mining industry, which tends to be higher paying than the educational or research industries.
Common Geology Jobs in the Mining Industry
Below are some of the common geology jobs in the mining industry, their median salaries, and job outlooks. To explore geology job openings, please explore our job listings board here.
Mine Site Geologist
Mine site geologists are valuable assets to the mining industry, managing everything from exploration and mine design to evaluating ore quality, risk and environmental impact management, and more.
Mine geologists make, on average, $83,010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the top 10% making over $123,260. For most positions, at least a bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions, while higher-level degrees or exceptional experience support more expert, higher-paying positions. Besides having a great salary, a career in mining geology also has a great job outlook.
GIS Geologist
GIS, or geographic information systems, refers to the use of remote sensory tools and studies to interpret and visualize information about the earth’s surface. This is a valuable career for a geologist in the mining industry as it helps identify and map areas of potential deposits so the operation can make informed decisions about where to drill.
GIS geologist job roles also come with a competitive salary, with a median advertised salary for GIS Technicians of $63,900. This median increases by around 10% for those with a master’s degree. For geographers, the median salary is $85,218, while GIS specialists make on average $95,264. The outlook of a GIS-related career is a positive one, with jobs expected to increase by 9% through 2028.
Ore Control Geologist
Ore control geologists are geologists in the mining industry that collect geologic data, mapping, sampling, and core logging to design and support drill programs. The goal of an ore control geologist is to maximize high-quality ore yields while reducing risk and production costs.
Ore control geologists with careers in the mining industry can expect a median salary of $91,091, often with opportunities for bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, or other financial benefits.
Geophysical Geologist
Geophysical geologists, or geophysicists, create site assessments, mapping, and reports to determine the location, composition, and potential deposits of a specific area. They will use physical reports such as frequency domain electromagnetics (FDEM), controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), resistivity and induced polarity (IP), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and more.
Geophysicists are critical for project conceptualization, mineral exploration, feasibility studies, and strategy optimization in the mining industry. Their average salary is around $98,000 per year, often with opportunities for bonuses or profit sharing. As with most geology jobs, pay is commensurate to experience, with entry-level positions paying closer to $60,000/year and 10+ years of experience paying over $100,000.
Hydrogeologists
Hydrogeology includes understanding and managing how water moves through the subsurface geologic environment. In mining, this geology career includes mine dewatering design, such as pit slope depressurization, general dewatering practices, and sitewide water management. It requires the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and chemical data.
The average salary for a hydrogeologist in the mining industry is about $82,339 including bonuses and additional pay, while entry-level hydrogeology positions typically pay between $57.1k - $72.3k a year. Employers typically require at least a bachelor’s degree for hydrogeology positions, though some prefer a master’s degree.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN GOSS
President, Rangefront Mining Services
Brian Goss brings over 20 years of experience in gold and mineral exploration. He is the founder and President of Rangefront, a premier geological services and mining consulting company that caters to a large spectrum of clients in the mining and minerals exploration industries. Brian is also a director of Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM), an exploration stage company specializing in energy storage minerals and from 2014 to 2017, he fulfilled the role of President and Director of Graphite Corp. (OTCQB: GRPH), an exploration stage that specialized in the development of graphite properties. Prior to founding Rangefront, Brian worked as a staff geologist for Centerra Gold on the REN project, as well as various exploration and development projects in the Western United States and Michigan. Brian Goss holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geology from Wayne State University in Michigan.