Physical, earth science and related professionals

How to become a geologist or geophysicist

Official title: Geologists and geophysicists

Also called: Geological oceanographer, Geologist, Geophysical oceanographer, Geophysicist, Geoscientist

Geologists and geophysicists conduct research; improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods; or apply scientific knowledge relating to geology and geophysics in such fields as oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction, water conservation, civil engineering, telecommunications and navigation, and assessment and mitigation of the effects of development and waste disposal projects on the environment.

Main tasks

Conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories and operational methods related to geology and geophysics
Studying composition and structure of the Earth’s crust, examining rocks, minerals, fossils and other materials to determine processes affecting the development of the Earth, trace evolution of past life, establish the nature and chronology of geological formations and assess their commercial applications
Interpreting research data and preparing geological reports, maps, charts and diagrams, reports and papers
Applying geological knowledge to problems encountered in civil engineering projects such as the construction of dams, bridges, tunnels, and large buildings, and land reclamation projects
Using various remote sensing programmes to investigate and measure seismic, gravitational, electrical, thermal and magnetic forces affecting the Earth
Estimating weight, size and mass of the Earth and composition and structure of its interior, and studying the nature, activity and predictability of volcanoes, glaciers and earthquakes
Charting the Earth’s magnetic field and applying this and other collected data for broadcasting, navigation and other purposes
Studying and measuring physical properties of seas and the atmosphere and their interrelationship, such as the exchange of thermal energy
Locating and determining the nature and extent of oil, gas and mineral deposits using seismological, gravimetric, magnetic, electrical or radiometric methods
Identifying deposits of construction materials and determining their characteristics and suitability for use as concrete aggregates, road fill or for other applications

Ways in

University: Science degrees, Offered by 21 universities in Hong Kong

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$48,000 a month
About 1,542,900 people in 2025, and about 1,639,100 projected by 2028. (+6.2%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

How do I become a geologist or geophysicist?

Ways in include: Science degrees.

Do you need a degree to become a geologist or geophysicist?

Usually. 88% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a geologist or geophysicist?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026