Seismologist: Job Description, Salary and Requirements
Research seismologist career information. Learn about job duties, education requirements and potential salaries in order to make an informed decision about becoming a seismologist.
Job Description
Seismologists are geoscientists who study earthquakes and related phenomena, including the effects of explosions and the formation of tsunamis. These professionals gather data about shifts in the earth's crust through the use of seismographs and other instruments. While many seismologists are uncertain about the possibility of predicting earthquakes, their research has been instrumental in the development of such advances as tsunami warning systems.
Seismologists also study the structure and composition of the earth. Because of the way that earthquakes propagate, studying them is a non-invasive way to determine the composition and structure of the planet. Most of these professionals work in offices, in laboratories and at research sites.
Salary Information and Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, geoscientists earned a median annual income of $79,160 as of 2011. Job growth in this field is expected to increase 21% from 2010-2020, which is faster than average. Growth is partially the result of upcoming expected retirements and the high cost of fossil fuels, which drives the cost-effectiveness of observational seismologists in the petroleum industry.
Seismologists may also work as university professors. In 2011, atmospheric, earth, marine and space science teachers earned a median salary of $83,140. Job growth for postsecondary teachers is expected to increase 17% between 2010 and 2020, which is about as fast as average for all industries. This anticipated growth is largely attributed to increasing student enrollment.
Education Requirements
Entry-level positions in seismology require a bachelor's degree or higher in geophysics or a related area, and more advanced roles may require a master's degree or a doctorate. For positions in the petroleum industry, a bachelor's degree is often sufficient, although a master's degree could be beneficial. Research roles, such as those at universities, almost always require a Ph.D., and competition for those jobs is often heavy.
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4 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (10 campuses)
- Michigan (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- MA in Teaching - Secondary Science
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Physics
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School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Astronomy
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Paleontology
- Water Resource Sciences
- Physics
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School locations:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Astronomy
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Oceanography
- Physics
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School locations:
- Oregon (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Oregon State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Natural Sciences
- Oceanography
- Water Resource Sciences
- Physics
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School locations:
- Nevada (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Nevada include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Forestry and Wildlands Management
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Physics
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School locations:
- Utah (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Utah include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry Sciences
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Physical and Environmental Science
- Earth Science
- Geophysics and Seismology
- Meteorology
- Physics
