NPR's "All Things Considered" program goes to the Colorado School of Mines where lots of students are getting hired well in advance of graduation at $80K+ salaries with signing bonuses.
A Wall Street Journal article says that new geology grads are getting $80,000 per year - up 50% since 2003.
Petroleum engineers do even better with $80,000 to $110,000 salaries, plus signing bonuses and perks.
A Bloomberg.com article says don't get an MBA. Instead get a geology degree with courses in minerals and fossil fuels. Geology grads in exploration and extraction are fetching record salaries.
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists conducts an annual survey of salaries in the oil and gas industries. They show substantial recent salary gains.
Geologists accepting new employment or contracts often sign confidentiality agreements related to their work.
Here is an interesting blog post that might make you think about what you are signing.
