Community Sentiment
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AI Automation Index
Will AI Replace Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
Task-level automation exposure for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers: 32 O*NET tasks scored against their work activities, plus the simulator.
E-E-A-T Verified
Developed & audited by Gini Loh Automation Exposure
57%
weighted task index
32 of 32 tasks scored
Median Salary
$101,920 / year
BLS OEWS, May 2025 — this exact occupation
Employment Level
Low
23,470 people hold this job — size, not growth
Projected 2025–35
+5.1%
employment change
1,800 openings a year · BLS line item
Pay by state
BLS OEWS publishes 50 state estimates for this occupation. Each is its own survey estimate, not the national median adjusted for local prices.
$61,810 – $145,220
Highest medians
Texas $145,220
Rhode Island $121,010
Oklahoma $119,990
Colorado $114,410
Mississippi $112,400
Lowest medians
Connecticut $61,810
Arkansas $67,880
Indiana $68,240
South Dakota $71,150
Georgia $73,920
State figures come from the 19-2042 row in the May 2025 state panel. States where the estimate was suppressed or too small to publish are absent.
What the score is made of
Each task is mapped to its work activities, scored for AI automation potential, and weighted by how important those activities are to the job. These are the components.
Automation potential 57%
Importance-weighted mean of the scored tasks. This is the headline index.
Physical work 0%
Share of weighted tasks in hands-on or machine-operating work activities.
Judgment & influence 75%
Share in analysis, decisions, teaching, directing, advising, or caring for others.
Routine administration 4%
Share in documenting, recording, and administrative activities.
Rewritten by O*NET 0%
Share of weighted tasks O*NET rewrote in a recent update. Reported, not folded into the score.
Consequence of error 4/100
Low
O*NET's own rating of how serious an uncorrectable mistake would be here — respondents, not us. Deliberately not in the index: the score measures what AI can do with the task content, and multiplying it by stakes would be our judgment dressed as data.
Constituent Task Mix
32 tasks for this occupation, weighted by work-activity importance. Shares below are of total task weight, not task count.
High exposure (≥ 60% of the task is automatable) 54%
15 tasks
Medium exposure (≥ 35%) 39%
14 tasks
Low exposure (below 35%) 7%
3 tasks
How would you survive?
Move your week away from the high-exposure tasks and toward the ones that need judgment. The simulator recalculates the index as you shift the mix.
Simulate Upskilling →Constituent Tasks
#20390 · Core · 82% automatable
Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
information retrieval — AI can search and summarize literature, human curates
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
#3712 · Core · 63% automatable
Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
text generation — Reports drafted; presentations need human delivery
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. Communicate results of environmental research. Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
#3703 · Core · 49% automatable
Plan 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.
decision support — Study designs aided; scientific accountability human
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes. Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
#3705 · Core · 60% automatable
Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
visual inspection — Generates maps from data; cartographic judgment human
Prepare maps.
#15224 · Core · 70% automatable
Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
data analysis — Geological/geographic data analysis with human review
Analyze geological or geographical data. Interpret research or operational data.
#3704 · Core · 55% automatable
Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
information retrieval — Geology literature research aided; field work human
Research geological features or processes.
#3702 · Core · 70% automatable
Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
data analysis — Geological/geographic data analysis with human review
Analyze geological or geographical data. Interpret research or operational data.
#3706 · Core · 62% automatable
Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#19772 · Core · 55% automatable
Study historical climate change indicators found in locations, such as ice sheets or rock formations to develop climate change models.
information retrieval — Literature synthesis aided; field hydrology needs humans
Research hydrologic features or processes.
#19771 · Core · 60% automatable
Review work plans to determine the effectiveness of activities for mitigating soil or groundwater contamination.
decision support — Evaluates conservation plans; judgment and field context needed
Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
#3707 · Core · 40% automatable
Assess ground or surface water movement to provide advice on issues, such as waste management, route and site selection, or the restoration of contaminated sites.
physical manipulation — Measuring environmental characteristics needs instruments
Measure environmental characteristics.
#20391 · Core · 71% automatable
Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
data analysis — Statistical analysis of environmental datasets is automatable
Analyze environmental data. Interpret research or operational data.
#3711 · Core · 65% automatable
Advise construction firms or government agencies on dam or road construction, foundation design, land use, or resource management.
information retrieval — Environmental advice is knowledge-based with review
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
#3709 · Core · 55% automatable
Conduct geological or geophysical studies to provide information for use in regional development, site selection, or development of public works projects.
information retrieval — Geology literature research aided; field work human
Research geological features or processes.
#19763 · Core · 45% automatable
Develop strategies for more environmentally friendly resource extraction and reclamation.
decision support — Resource plans need ecological and political judgment
Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
#3713 · Core · 40% automatable
Measure characteristics of the Earth, such as gravity or magnetic fields, using equipment such as seismographs, gravimeters, torsion balances, or magnetometers.
physical manipulation — Measuring environmental characteristics needs instruments
Measure environmental characteristics.
#21176 · Core · 88% automatable
Review environmental, historical, or technical reports and publications for accuracy.
text generation — Proofreading text for accuracy is core LLM strength
Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
#20393 · Core · 62% automatable
Identify deposits of construction materials suitable for use as concrete aggregates, road fill, or other applications.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#15226 · Core · 60% automatable
Design geological mine maps, monitor mine structural integrity, or advise and monitor mining crews.
visual inspection — Generates maps from data; cartographic judgment human
Prepare maps.
#19765 · Core · 62% automatable
Identify new sources of platinum group elements for industrial applications, such as automotive fuel cells or pollution abatement systems.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#3716 · Core · 62% automatable
Develop applied software for the analysis and interpretation of geological data.
text generation — Scientific code drafted; domain validation by humans
Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
#19767 · Core · 62% automatable
Locate potential sources of geothermal energy.
data analysis — Analyzes geospatial data; field validation still needed
Locate natural resources using geospatial or other environmental data.
#19766 · Core · 20% automatable
Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
visual inspection — Physical site verification against specs is human
Collect data about project sites. Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
#19768 · Supplemental · 45% automatable
Provide advice on the safe siting of new nuclear reactor projects or methods of nuclear waste management.
decision support — Emergency advice needs situated judgment and authority
Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
#20392 · Supplemental · 25% automatable
Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
visual inspection — Construction oversight requires on-site physical presence
Monitor construction operations. Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
#19761 · Supplemental · 59% automatable
Determine methods to incorporate geomethane or methane hydrates into global energy production or evaluate the potential environmental impacts of such incorporation.
information retrieval — Literature synthesis strong; field measurement human
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives. Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
#19764 · Supplemental · 50% automatable
Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
text generation — Industrial methods need domain validation and testing
Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
#19760 · Supplemental · 35% automatable
Collaborate with medical or health researchers to address health problems related to geological materials or processes.
interpersonal — Coordinating research programs is relational leadership
Coordinate cross-disciplinary research programs.
#3714 · Supplemental · 20% automatable
Test industrial diamonds or abrasives, soil, or rocks to determine their geological characteristics, using optical, x-ray, heat, acid, or precision instruments.
physical manipulation — Lab sample handling and instruments are hands-on
Analyze geological samples.
#19762 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Determine ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mineral dust dispersion.
decision support — Mitigation options; human owns compliance
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
#19769 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Research geomechanical or geochemical processes to be used in carbon sequestration projects.
information retrieval — Geology literature research aided; field work human
Research geological features or processes.
#19770 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Research ways to reduce the ecological footprint of increasingly prevalent megacities.
decision support — Mitigation options; human owns compliance
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
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How this was scored
- 1. Tasks. O*NET task statements for this occupation, from a release whose newest record is dated 08/2026.
- 2. Work activities. Each task maps to 1–5 Detailed Work Activities; each activity belongs to one of 41 Generalized Work Activities that O*NET rates for importance (1–5) in this occupation.
- 3. Automation potential. Every work activity carries one score for how far current AI can perform it end-to-end. Tasks inherit the mean of their activities.
- 4. Weighting. Task weight = 0.35 + 0.65 × (importance − 1)/4, scaled by how often the task is performed and by 0.7 for Supplemental tasks. Importance is the task's own O*NET rating where it exists (18,369 of 18,838 tasks); the rest inherit their work activities' importance. The index is the weighted mean.
Check: across the 910 occupations where O*NET also rates how far machine speed sets the pace, this index moves opposite to it (Spearman ρ = -0.49). The more a job is paced by equipment, the less of its task content AI can address — the relationship you would expect if the scoring is working.
Sources · O*NET 31.0 (task records to 08/2026) · BLS OEWS May 2025 · BLS projections 2025-2035 · rubric v2.1 · tasks for O*NET, not a forecast
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