2144-NOC

Geological engineers

(NOC 2144)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$105,281
Typical Education Background
Degree
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
500

Career Overview

Geological engineers:

  • Geological engineers carry out geological and geotechnical studies to assess suitability of locations for civil engineering, mining and oil and gas projects
  • Plan, design, develop and oversee programs of geological data acquisition and analysis and the preparation of geological engineering reports and recommendations
  • Work for consulting engineering companies; electrical utilities, mining and petroleum companies; and in government, research and educational institutions

Duties

Geological engineers:

  • Plan, develop and co-ordinate programs of geotechnical, geological, geophysical or geohydrological data acquisition, analysis and mapping to assist in the development of civil engineering, mining, petroleum and waste management projects or for regional development
  • Analyze and prepare recommendations and reports for construction or improvements to foundations of civil engineering projects such as rock excavation, pressure grouting and hydraulic channel erosion control
  • Analyze and prepare recommendations and reports on settlement of buildings, stability of slopes and fills, and likely effects of landslides and earthquakes to support construction and civil engineering projects
  • Carry out studies on groundwater flow and contamination and develop regulations for site selection, treatment and construction
  • Plan, develop, co-ordinate and carry out studies in mining exploration, mine evaluation and feasibility studies concerning the mining industry
  • Carry out surveys and studies of ore deposits, ore reserve calculations and mine designs
  • Supervise technologists, technicians and other engineers and scientists

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$105,281

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$88.94/hr
Median$50.48/hr
Low$29.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

900

% Employed Full Time

63%
Source: 2016 Census

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office or school, or an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to various weather conditions.

Career Pathways

Geological engineers work closely with geologists and other scientists and engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization and between engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Also, engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic
Investigative
Investigative

Job Titles

Engineer, hydrogeological
Engineer, petrography
Engineer, rock sciences

Education, Training and Skills

  • A bachelor's degree in geological engineering or in a related discipline is required.
  • A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
  • Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
  • Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering
  • Engineering Science
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

75%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

74%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

74%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

74%
Numeracy

Using mathematics to solve problems.

72%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

70%
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

69%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

67%
Judgment and Decision-Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

66%
Operations Analysis

Analyzing operational and product needs to create a design.

63%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

900
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 20 1.7%
Kootenay 70 4.5%
Mainland/Southwest 870 71.3%
North Coast and Nechako N/A 1.1%
Northeast 30 1.7%
Thompson-Okanagan 190 11.2%
Vancouver Island/Coast 140 10.1%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

500
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 1.3%
Mainland/Southwest 360 1.9%
North Coast and Nechako N/A N/A
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 80 1.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 80 2.5%
N/A: Data is not available for this region.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services148,000
Utilities4,500
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction12,000
Public Administration49,200
Construction72,700
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources