SOC 192042

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

National Median

$99,240

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$99,240

Entry Level (10th pct)

$58,790

Experienced (90th pct)

$178,880

Total Employed

22,510

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$58,790 - $72,440
Mid Career2-8 years experience$72,440 - $134,350
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$134,350 - $178,880

Highest Paying Locations for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$168,2801,760
Midland, TX$165,830250
Texas$155,3303,620
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL$142,15060
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$136,250430
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$130,580330
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$129,88050
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$129,730N/A
Rhode Island$128,870N/A
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$128,710150
Oklahoma City, OK$128,240560
Oklahoma$128,240910
Alaska nonmetropolitan area$126,62090
Tulsa, OK$126,270270
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$124,270540
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$122,45070
Kansas nonmetropolitan area$121,97050
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS$120,600180
New Orleans-Metairie, LA$120,580120
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$120,550120
Boulder, CO$115,740110
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$115,24050
Fresno, CA$115,12080
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$115,120480
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$114,960880
Mississippi$113,730260
Charleston, WV$112,59040
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area$112,07050
California$111,4003,150
Kennewick-Richland, WA$110,88080
Lubbock, TX$108,42040
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$108,05060
Alaska$105,910370
Duluth, MN-WI$105,21030
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$104,890810
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$104,77070
Anchorage, AK$104,770190
Jacksonville, FL$104,33090
Utah$104,000340
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area$104,00080
Vermont$102,19030
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area$101,860200
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$100,870540
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$100,790N/A
Hawaii$100,690130
Urban Honolulu, HI$100,690110
St. Louis, MO-IL$99,95080
Colorado$99,9001,420
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$99,810110
Washington$99,780840

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
The national median annual salary for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is $99,240, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss is Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, with a median salary of $168,280.
How much can an experienced Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make?
Top-earning Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographerss (90th percentile) make $178,880 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.