Jobs Similar to Geoscientists (Except Hydrologists and Geographers)
Also called: Geoscientists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Hydrologists, Atmospheric and Space Scientists and Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists.
Geoscientists (Except Hydrologists and Geographers): $101,920 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Geoscientists (Except Hydrologists and Geographers)) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HydrologistsSame group | 84% | $96,600−5% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Atmospheric and Space ScientistsSame group | 83% | $99,070−3% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Remote Sensing Scientists and TechnologistsSame group | 82% | $122,570Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Soil and Plant Scientists | 81% | $78,850−23% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | AstronomersSame group | 81% | $128,820+26% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Industrial EcologistsSame group | 79% | $82,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | PhysicistsSame group | 79% | $172,250+69% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Water Resource Specialists | 79% | $167,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Materials ScientistsSame group | 79% | $117,790+16% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Conservation Scientists | 79% | $73,010−28% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Environmental Restoration PlannersSame group | 78% | $82,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | 78% | $127,410+25% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthSame group | 78% | $82,220−19% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Bioinformatics Scientists | 77% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Nuclear Engineers | 77% | $133,970+31% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Agricultural Engineers | 76% | $98,590−3% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Geographers | 76% | $102,0400% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 76% | $106,220+4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Biologists | 76% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Environmental Engineers | 76% | $107,110+5% | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Hydrologists
84% similar · $96,600 (−5%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Atmospheric and Space Scientists
83% similar · $99,070 (−3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
82% similar · $122,570 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Soil and Plant Scientists
81% similar · $78,850 (−23%) · Graduate degree
- 5Astronomers
81% similar · $128,820 (+26%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Industrial Ecologists
79% similar · $82,220 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Physicists
79% similar · $172,250 (+69%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Water Resource Specialists
79% similar · $167,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Materials Scientists
79% similar · $117,790 (+16%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Conservation Scientists
79% similar · $73,010 (−28%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Environmental Restoration Planners
78% similar · $82,220 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Biochemists and Biophysicists
78% similar · $127,410 (+25%) · Graduate degree
- 13Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
78% similar · $82,220 (−19%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Bioinformatics Scientists
77% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 15Nuclear Engineers
77% similar · $133,970 (+31%) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Agricultural Engineers
76% similar · $98,590 (−3%) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Geographers
76% similar · $102,040 (0%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
76% similar · $106,220 (+4%) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Biologists
76% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 20Environmental Engineers
76% similar · $107,110 (+5%) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers).
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Geographers (86)
- Soil and Plant Scientists (85)
- Conservation Scientists (83)
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers (83)
- Geodetic Surveyors (82)
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (82)
- Biologists (80)
- Water Resource Specialists (79)
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists (77)
- Agricultural Engineers (76)
Questions about jobs like geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)
What jobs are most similar to geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Hydrologists (84% similar), Atmospheric and Space Scientists (83% similar), Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists (82% similar), Soil and Plant Scientists (81% similar) and Astronomers (81% similar).
Which jobs like geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Physicists ($172,250, +69%; usually a graduate degree), Nuclear Engineers ($133,970, +31%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Astronomers ($128,820, +26%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) ($101,920). Without more preparation than geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) usually need: Nuclear Engineers, Materials Scientists and Environmental Engineers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.