Geophysicists
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Geophysicists study the composition, structure and other physical attributes of the earth, locate minerals, petroleum or ground water, and detect, monitor and forecast seismic, magnetic, electrical, geothermal and oceanographic activity.
Specialisations: Oceanographer, Seismologist.
A bachelor degree in science majoring in geophysics, geoscience or a combined geology and physics degree is needed to work as a Geophysicist. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Determines the resources present by sampling, examining and analysing geological specimens, rock cores, cuttings and samples using optical, chemical, electronic and mechanical techniques.
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Surveys variations in the earth's gravitational and magnetic fields to determine its physical features.
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Investigates the propagation of seismic waves to determine the structure and stability of the earth's mantle and crust.
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Studies the causes of earthquakes and other stress states of the earth's crust.
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Performs laboratory and field studies, as well as aerial, ground and drill hole surveys.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Medium
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 84% of people employed as Geophysicists work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 18 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Geophysicists work in industries like:
- Mining
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration and safety
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Geophysicists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 12.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 10.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 12.9 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 43.8 | 10.8 |
TAS | 4.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 5.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 89% of Geophysicists live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Geophysicists is 42 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 20% of the workforce. This is 28 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Geophysicists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 28.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.7 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 42 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in science majoring in geophysics, geoscience or a combined geology and physics degree is needed to work as a Geophysicist. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
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- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Geophysicists | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 48.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 45.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 1.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 1.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 3.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.4 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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70%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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64%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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61%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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61%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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61%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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59%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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59%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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54%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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52%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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48%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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48%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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48%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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48%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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39%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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82%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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74%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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70%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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70%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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70%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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64%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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64%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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60%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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54%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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54%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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53%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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52%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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52%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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45%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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44%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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43%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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42%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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38%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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36%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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33%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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71%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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70%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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66%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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63%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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63%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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61%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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59%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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57%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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55%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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52%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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50%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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50%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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89%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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85%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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83%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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82%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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80%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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80%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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79%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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79%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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75%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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73%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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72%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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71%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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71%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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71%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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71%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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65%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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63%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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63%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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62%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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43%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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76%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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76%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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33%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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98%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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88%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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88%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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83%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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82%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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79%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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78%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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73%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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71%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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68%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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68%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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66%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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66%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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66%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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64%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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62%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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62%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-2042.00 - Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.