The UK's official graduate careers website

Login to My Prospects

Not a member yet? Join now
 
 

Geophysical data processor : Salary and conditions

More in this section

  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
  6. Employers and vacancy …
  7. Related jobs

Print all pages in this section

Case studies

  • Typical starting salaries range between £20,000 and £35,000, depending on level of degree and postgraduate qualifications.
  • Salaries can increase from £35,000 to £50,000 with experience and qualifications. Consultants may earn in excess of this figure.
  • In addition to basic salary, generous benefits are often provided, including pension, private healthcare and life insurance. Pay and bonus schemes tend to be performance-related.
  • Fluctuations in the strength and stability of the oil economy may have an influence on pay.
  • Along with the opportunity to travel, generous overseas allowances and more holidays are available to those willing to work in overseas processing centres or on board data acquisition boats. For longer contracts, companies will often pay relocation costs.
  • Working hours are typically nine to five, although it is common to work overtime (both evenings and weekends) in order to meet deadlines. This is often a necessary requirement as clients usually include financial penalty clauses for late delivery in their contracts. Overtime tends to increase with responsibility. Some companies provide time off in lieu rather than financial reward.
  • Work in the UK is based mainly in oil company offices or processing centres around London, Maidenhead, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, though some time may be spent on data acquisition boats.
  • Self-employment is rare although oil companies may occasionally hire self-employed and highly experienced consultants to oversee work undertaken by a data processing contractor. Part-time work and career breaks are supported by most employers.
  • Both genders are well represented at entry level, though there are currently a smaller proportion of women at more senior levels.
  • Stress and enforced overtime can be considerable as projects are run to tight deadlines. The lifestyle can be disruptive. Working on data acquisition boats involves spending time away from family and friends (up to six weeks at a time, subject to weather). Those willing to work in overseas processing centres may also be asked to relocate at a month's notice for an unspecified length of time (although for long overseas assignments, an employee's family can usually travel with them).
  • Opportunities to work overseas often arise as most companies have processing centres based in other major international cities, usually close to oil company offices. Some companies also have dedicated processing centres set up within larger client offices and many run data acquisition boats, which require data processors on board.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
May 2011
© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer
 
 
 

This website is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets if you are able to do so.