Geoscience Employment Sees Slight Decline in January 2025
The latest employment data from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey show that the monthly average number of working geoscientists in the United States stood at 311,646 as of January 2025. This represents a net decrease of 1,372 jobs from December 2024, reflecting evolving workforce trends across geoscience-related occupations.
The Current Population Survey, a key source of labor market data, offers insight into ongoing employment shifts within the geoscience sector. The latest findings reveal mixed trends across geoscience disciplines, with notable job gains in environmental science and geoscience fields but declines in petroleum, mining, geologic engineering, and atmospheric sciences. These trends reflect the ongoing shift from employment in the primary industries to the professional services sector, which then is providing the necessary services to the primary industries.
Key Employment Trends in Geoscience Fields
Between December 2024 and January 2025, the most substantial job losses occurred in petroleum, mining, and geological engineering, which shed 13,456 jobs, and atmospheric and space sciences, which declined by 5,642 jobs. In contrast, employment in environmental sciences and geosciences grew substantially, adding 9,324 jobs over the same period.
Additionally, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Establishment Data (Table B-1) revealed sector-specific trends:
- Mining and oil and gas industries experienced employment declines, particularly in the support activities subsectors.
- Government employment grew between December 2024 and January 2025, primarily in local government agencies.
Looking Ahead
The data suggest a shift within geoscience-related industries, driven by changing economic conditions, industry priorities, and technological advancements. As industries adapt to new challenges and opportunities, employment trends in geosciences are expected to continue to adapt to these drivers. Policymakers, educators, and employers should monitor these changes to ensure workforce readiness and strategic planning for future labor needs.
Access the Data
Geoscience employment data summaries are released by AGI each month, and can be accessed from AGI’s Profession Data dashboard https://profession.americangeosciences.org/research/data. Please direct questions about AGI’s workforce data to workforce@americangeosciences.org.
About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional associations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
AGI Contact:
Geoff Camphire, Communications
gac@americangeosciences.org