Geophysicist

Geophysicists study how the Earth works using physics and maths. They look for oil and metals, understand earthquakes and volcanoes, and help protect the environment by finding cleaner energy sources.

Geophysicist

38

Mathematical Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO38%moving to83%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £35,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior GeophysicistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in field surveys and data collection, gaining hands-on experience while working under the supervision of senior geophysicists.£30,000 - £35,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level GeophysicistAs a mid-level geophysicist, you will take on more complex projects, leading field surveys and data analysis while mentoring junior staff.£45,000 - £55,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Geophysicist/Head of GeophysicsAt this peak career stage, you will oversee major projects, manage teams, and be responsible for strategic decision-making in geophysical research and exploration.£70,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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