Entry Level Salary
$45,000
Median Salary
$101,001
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
18.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,040,040
Entry (Early)
$45,000
Median (Prime)
$101,001
High (Prime)
$117,988
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-50k
+413k
+550k
$25k / yr
-140k
+323k
+460k
$50k / yr
-230k
+233k
+370k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
24
$25k / yr
Never
29
27
$50k / yr
Never
34
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-128%
297%
423%
$50k / yr
-106%
107%
170%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate54.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physical scientists
13.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|$92,750
openings
22,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Management occupations
5.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$49,900
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$49,900|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Physical scientists, all other
5.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,393
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Postsecondary teachers
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Software developers
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$81,412
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$124,341|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Management analysts
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$75,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,491|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Project management specialists
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$86,450
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$133,000|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Teaching assistants
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$16,738
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$20,000|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,073
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,195|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Life scientists
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$100,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|$90,500
openings
28,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Undergrad Certificate | 6 | $76,463 - $76,463 |
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Associate's Degree | 40 | Data N/A |
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 428 | $37,839 - $85,207 |
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Master's Degree | 187 | $63,901 - $164,523 |
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Doctoral Degree | 118 | $92,982 - $120,024 |
| geological and earth sciences/geosciences. | Graduate Certificate | 7 | Data N/A |