What are the working conditions and/or salaries of geologists? I am considering breaking into the field, literally and figuratively. I understand that geology has a slightly lower salary than other scientific fields, but the outdoor nature of the work more than makes it up for me. Also, in terms of work, is the PhD/research path or the general geological fields (oil, etc.) better? I want to be outside for the majority of my career, and I feel like phds might have more office time than general geologists.