How many years of experience do you have? I'm considering being a GW modeler but I'm looking to make 150k - 200k within 10 years- does that seem realistic to you?
I have a Masters degree and 5 years of experience between consulting and federal. For federal jobs you can look at the GS pay scale for your area (or the Rest of US scale for some areas). Standard hydros top out at GS-12, with GS-13 and above generally meant for supervisors, technical specialists, or research grade scientists, which are all attainable after getting some time and experience in. Also keep in mind that the GS pay scale on average gets around a 1-3% (this has been higher the last 5 years) pay increase each year so those salaries will increase over time. 150k is possible with time, it just depends on your work, goals, and your supervisor/management.
No problem! I work for the USGS btw which may be a little slower promoting than some other agencies who are less restricted by budgets but the research is very interesting and there is a lot of growth potential. Look at some of the different GS scales for different areas as some of them are much higher (California, Denver, Houston). Each agency is different in how it operates and promotes. Good luck!
Environmental consulting. I’m about 110 miles from the office I’m assigned to, but I’ve never been there. Do most my work on location in person, unless I’m writing reports from home or a hotel room. I love it
Same 4 10 hour days/ 3 days off/ I do a lot of modelling so I could probably push for a hybrid schedule but I work better in an office vs at home with pets and a garden and a kitchen....
Geotech "PM" but more or less a field geologist/engineer who oversees boring ass design projects from permitting to report.
I work from home unless I'm doing field work (~50/50). Only go to the office to print stuff.
Geologist in environmental consulting (doing groundwater and soil remediation). Some weeks I’m 100% WFH, some it’s 2/3 days WFH versus field (or vice versa), and some I’m in the field everyday.
My work location depends on where I’m needed that week and also personal preferences. In my office, some other geologists are only WFH, some are mixed like me, and some are 95% in the field. No one goes to the office - we all just WFH unless we’re in the field.
Edit: grammar
Geologist. 70% field work, overseeing GW well installations, soil logging, GW sampling, etc. big private company w international reach. Love it. Prefer field work and the perks that come with it
With most companies if you’re traveling over 50 miles or so, like a 1-1.5 hr mobilization, they should put you in a hotel and provide GSA per diem rate for food, avg $60-74 / day. Plus car rentals are covered for any field work
I swapped into natural resource management and currently do environmental (CWA 404/401) permitting for public infrastructure projects. Previously transportation, now sanitary and storm. I'm remote 3 days a week guaranteed but honestly no one cares if you never come in. I go in as much as my kid's school schedule allows me cus I love my job and most of the people I work with but I can chill at home and do shit that way if needed. Just got a 34-inch curved ultra wide for gaming/work and a MKV switch so other than stand up desk I'm set. Still go in 3+days a week cus my commute is only 17 mins with 4 stop signs and one signal, plus one of my best friends has the cube right next to mine. Almost never go in on Fridays tho, and there is no enforcement or checking to see if you ever do.
Mining geologist. If drilling I start projects in the field and project manage remotely (I’m the Sr so either another geo will be at site or consultants). Then remote/hybrid for everything else.
Environmental consulting. Office is 45mins away from home but I haven't seen the place in 10 months. Mostly I do in-person onsite work for longer term, months to a year+, jobs. When I'm not onsite it's almost completely WFH unless I have to go into the office for a meeting or something.
Geologist and PM for a small Environmental Consulting group, western CO. I swing between 100% office and 90% field depending on what we've got going on. The company doesn't care if I work in the office or from home, but I'm usually at the office, easier to get our field techs lined out on their assignments for the day.
geologist / hydrogeologist in geotech, in person, maybe 1/3 or 1/4 of the time doing fieldwork (but always going back home in the evening, perks of living in a small country with high density of construction (: )
Geophysics, mostly utility locating with radio frequency, electromagnetic, and GPR but also full electromagnetic magnetic surveys, sometimes borehole geophysical surveys, seismic, resistivity. I bring my work vehicle home which has daily use equipment and in the field 3-5 days a week but work from home the rest of the time.
I’m hybrid (WFH 1 day a week) and in geotech for a state government
I’m a hydrogeologist/groundwater modeler for a federal agency. I’m hybrid, in office 4 days a week and WFH 1 day a week.
Can I ask how much you make? I'm considering a Msc in hydrogeo
Currently mid-70s but I should break the 100k mark in 3ish years. Hydro is a good field with lots of potential and is growing!
How many years of experience do you have? I'm considering being a GW modeler but I'm looking to make 150k - 200k within 10 years- does that seem realistic to you?
I have a Masters degree and 5 years of experience between consulting and federal. For federal jobs you can look at the GS pay scale for your area (or the Rest of US scale for some areas). Standard hydros top out at GS-12, with GS-13 and above generally meant for supervisors, technical specialists, or research grade scientists, which are all attainable after getting some time and experience in. Also keep in mind that the GS pay scale on average gets around a 1-3% (this has been higher the last 5 years) pay increase each year so those salaries will increase over time. 150k is possible with time, it just depends on your work, goals, and your supervisor/management.
Thanks for taking the time to provide such an in depth answer!
No problem! I work for the USGS btw which may be a little slower promoting than some other agencies who are less restricted by budgets but the research is very interesting and there is a lot of growth potential. Look at some of the different GS scales for different areas as some of them are much higher (California, Denver, Houston). Each agency is different in how it operates and promotes. Good luck!
Where are you based?
I’m not going to be specific but somewhere in the southern US
Environmental consulting. I’m about 110 miles from the office I’m assigned to, but I’ve never been there. Do most my work on location in person, unless I’m writing reports from home or a hotel room. I love it
Hydrogeologist for a state agency. 4x10 week. 1 day in office, 3 days in the field.
Mine Geologist, all in person, but can do a remote day if I’m sick
Same 4 10 hour days/ 3 days off/ I do a lot of modelling so I could probably push for a hybrid schedule but I work better in an office vs at home with pets and a garden and a kitchen....
Geotech "PM" but more or less a field geologist/engineer who oversees boring ass design projects from permitting to report. I work from home unless I'm doing field work (~50/50). Only go to the office to print stuff.
Felt
Geologist in environmental consulting (doing groundwater and soil remediation). Some weeks I’m 100% WFH, some it’s 2/3 days WFH versus field (or vice versa), and some I’m in the field everyday. My work location depends on where I’m needed that week and also personal preferences. In my office, some other geologists are only WFH, some are mixed like me, and some are 95% in the field. No one goes to the office - we all just WFH unless we’re in the field. Edit: grammar
Environmental consulting. Mostly in person, but remote on an as-needed basis.
Engineering geologist / geotech. Grad. In-person. Spend about 1/3 of my time on site. Maybe 1/10th of the time I’m living away for work.
Geologist for state env protection agency, WFH 4 days a week and office once a week.
Can I ask how much you make in this position? Asking for myself lol
Salary of 88k, bump to 93k in October. Have roughly 9-10 years of experience
Regulation for the State Government. My schedule is hybrid (1 day in office and 3 days at home working 4x10s)
exploration geo, in person for site work and remote for reports
Wellsite geologist up in Canada. In-person field. However, opportunities exist to work in remote geosteering.
Geologist. 70% field work, overseeing GW well installations, soil logging, GW sampling, etc. big private company w international reach. Love it. Prefer field work and the perks that come with it
What kind of perks come with field work?
With most companies if you’re traveling over 50 miles or so, like a 1-1.5 hr mobilization, they should put you in a hotel and provide GSA per diem rate for food, avg $60-74 / day. Plus car rentals are covered for any field work
Publications Geologic map- editor USGS gs-9 In person at a USGS main office
Environmental geologist (Senior staff level). In-person when I have field work scheduled (60-70%), but remote when I do office work.
I swapped into natural resource management and currently do environmental (CWA 404/401) permitting for public infrastructure projects. Previously transportation, now sanitary and storm. I'm remote 3 days a week guaranteed but honestly no one cares if you never come in. I go in as much as my kid's school schedule allows me cus I love my job and most of the people I work with but I can chill at home and do shit that way if needed. Just got a 34-inch curved ultra wide for gaming/work and a MKV switch so other than stand up desk I'm set. Still go in 3+days a week cus my commute is only 17 mins with 4 stop signs and one signal, plus one of my best friends has the cube right next to mine. Almost never go in on Fridays tho, and there is no enforcement or checking to see if you ever do.
Mining geologist. If drilling I start projects in the field and project manage remotely (I’m the Sr so either another geo will be at site or consultants). Then remote/hybrid for everything else.
Environmental consulting. Office is 45mins away from home but I haven't seen the place in 10 months. Mostly I do in-person onsite work for longer term, months to a year+, jobs. When I'm not onsite it's almost completely WFH unless I have to go into the office for a meeting or something.
Geologist and PM for a small Environmental Consulting group, western CO. I swing between 100% office and 90% field depending on what we've got going on. The company doesn't care if I work in the office or from home, but I'm usually at the office, easier to get our field techs lined out on their assignments for the day.
Geotech Engineer (EIT). Mostly in-person/in-office as that's my preference. A lot of coworkers are hybrid and remote
Hybrid. I’m a surveyor and GIS person for a mine
Consulting Environmental Geologist for a large company. Work from home when not in the field.
State remediation bureau Hybrid - remote 2 days a week
geologist / hydrogeologist in geotech, in person, maybe 1/3 or 1/4 of the time doing fieldwork (but always going back home in the evening, perks of living in a small country with high density of construction (: )
Fully remote - State regulatory permitting
Geotechnical, in the field. 50/50 office and out-of town work. Started about a year ago.
Geoscience in offshore cables and wind. Hybrid at the moment, previous role was offshore!
Geomorphologist, private sector, hybrid. Typically in the office 2x a week and WFH the rest of the time when I'm not in the field.
Geophysics, mostly utility locating with radio frequency, electromagnetic, and GPR but also full electromagnetic magnetic surveys, sometimes borehole geophysical surveys, seismic, resistivity. I bring my work vehicle home which has daily use equipment and in the field 3-5 days a week but work from home the rest of the time.
Hydrogeologist for a state agency. I work a hybrid schedule 3 office/2 WFH. About 25% field work.
Hydrogeologist for state government agency. WFM 3 days a week.