Job prospects Geologist in British Columbia

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This occupation includes job titles whose primary duties and responsibilities lead to positive environmental outcomes. Job Bank uses a list of occupations that were identified as "green" through a task-based analysis conducted by the United States’ Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which was recognized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and adapted to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada. This list may change over time. Learn more.

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "geologist" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Geoscientists and oceanographers (NOC 21102) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

As a result of climate change, B.C. faces an increasing incidence and severity of forest fires, heat domes, and atmospheric rivers, which may result in flooding and landslides. B.C. is also at risk of seismic activity, including earthquakes and tsunamis.  Opportunities for employment in this occupation will likely increase to mitigate and/or react to the social and economic impacts of these disasters.

Here are some key facts about Geoscientists and oceanographers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 2,150 people work in this occupation.
• Geoscientists and oceanographers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 36%
  • Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 18%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 15%
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 14%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 89% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 62% of geoscientists and oceanographers work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 28% of geoscientists and oceanographers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 74% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 26% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: n/a
  • high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 46% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 53% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology