While the last year saw peaks and valleys for energy prices, salaries for
petroleum geologists were relatively steady with some increase, according to
the 2008-09 annual AAPG Salary Survey.
An overall weighted average pay increase of 2.04 percent was charted in 2008-09.
The three previous annual salary surveys totaled a whopping 35 percent pay
increase.
It took a drop in oil price from $145 to $50 last year to slow the pay train.
“The volatility and uncertainty of petroleum prices had a dampening effect on
salaries,” said Mike Ayling, of MLA Resources in Tulsa, who has conducted theannual salary survey for AAPG since 1981.
2008-09 Geological Salary Survey
| YEARS EXPER |
HIGH |
AVERAGE |
LOW |
| 0-2 |
$95,000 |
$83,600 |
$58,000 |
| 3-5 |
147,000 |
108,000 |
75,000 |
| 6-9 |
153,000 |
118,400 |
90,000 |
| 10-14 |
155,000 |
121,900 |
100,000 |
| 15-19 |
185,000 |
139,400 |
118,000 |
| 20-24 |
260,000 |
176,800 |
138,000 |
| 25+ |
250,000 |
171,700 |
105,000 |
Despite the quick fall, Ayling said the job market has not destabilized.
“Limited layoffs have occurred – largely in cutting consulting help,” he said. “There was less job movement, fewer raises and lower bonus expectations as the
year progressed.”
The 0-2 and 3-5 year experience levels showed little change, but those
categories contain relatively few individuals, Ayling said. He also noted that
in 2008-09, over 46 percent of the salaries that were reported represent
geoscientists with over 20 years experience.
Mid-experience salaries had a more normal progression than last year, while
20-plus year salaries showed a modest 5.4 percent increase, Ayling said.
The annual salary survey is based on employed, salaried geoscientists and is
based on salaries alone. It does not include bonuses, employee benefits, autos
or other perquisites.
2008-09 Average Salary By Degree
| YEARS EXPER
|
B.S. |
M.S.
|
Ph.D. |
| 0-2 |
$73,000 |
$88,800 |
$95,000 |
| 3-5 |
88,300 |
112,000 |
147,000 |
| 6-9 |
90,000 |
141,400 |
105,000 |
| 10-14 |
102,500 |
122,900 |
155,000 |
| 15-19 |
124,300 |
166,500 |
134,900 |
| 20-24 |
147,500 |
172,300 |
215,000 |
| 25+ |
162,300 |
179,000 |
150,000 |
It does not attempt to include anyone whose compensation is in the form of
consulting fees, retainers or overrides.
The purpose of the survey is to provide a yardstick for those interested in
assessing their compensation, and Ayling strongly feels that compensation is
often a secondary consideration when evaluating overall job satisfaction.
The survey also is based on U.S. salaries only, considered the “gold standard” for the industry. The measurement for international salaries for
explorationists is virtually on a country-by-country, case-by-case basis,
Ayling said, which makes statistical averaging non-productive beyond the
boundaries of any specific country.
Ayling added that many ex-pats are paid U.S.-based salaries, while the national
oil companies opt to pay compatriots on a different, lower scale.
As for the job market, Ayling said, “Most everyone remains very conservative in their staffing decisions. I think
that’s what we can expect until there is some price recovery – especially gas.”
Historical Average Salary