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Geologist

Engineering

Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
  2. 2Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
  3. 3Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
  4. 4Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
  5. 5Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
  6. 6Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites.
  7. 7Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
  8. 8Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
  9. 9Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
  10. 10Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
  11. 11Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
  12. 12Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
  13. 13Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
  14. 14Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
  15. 15Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
  16. 16Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.
  17. 17Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.
  18. 18Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.
  19. 19Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
  20. 20Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
  21. 21Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.
  22. 22Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.
  23. 23Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
  24. 24Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
  25. 25Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
  26. 26Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
  27. 27Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
  28. 28Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
  29. 29Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
  30. 30Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.
  31. 31Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.
  32. 32Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Geodesist
  • Geologist
  • Scientist
  • Geochemist
  • Prospector
  • Petrologist
  • Core Analyst
  • Geomagnetist
  • Geophysicist
  • Geoscientist

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationMaster's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

GeographyDraws directly on Geography — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
ChemistryDraws directly on Chemistry — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Geography80%

    Geography

  • English Language77%

    English

  • Mathematics77%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Chemistry76%

    Chemistry

  • Physics73%

    Physics

  • Computers and Electronics71%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleContact most of the time
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Noisy environmentRarely
  • Time spent sittingMost of the time
  • Time spent standingA little

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

29%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue