Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in the U.S. is $101,920 ($49.00 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $101,920
- Mean annual wage
- $116,150
- Median hourly wage
- $49.00
- Employment
- 23,470
23,470 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| 25th percentile | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Median (50th) | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| 75th percentile | $139,380 | $67.01 |
| 90th percentile | $200,230 | $96.26 |
Highest-paying states for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 | 4,900 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | — |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 | 770 |
| Colorado | $114,410 | 1,480 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | 250 |
| Maryland | $110,510 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 | 420 |
| Alaska | $107,410 | 430 |
| California | $106,500 | 3,350 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 | 110 |
Lowest-paying states
- Connecticut: $61,810 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $67,880 median annual wage
- Indiana: $68,240 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $71,150 median annual wage
- Georgia: $73,920 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Develop ways to capture or use gases burned off as waste during oil production processes.
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Inspect construction projects to analyze engineering problems, using test equipment or drilling machinery.
- Identify possible sites for carbon sequestration projects.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 44.2% |
| Master's degree | 40.7% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 15.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$90,150
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
- Chemists$91,240
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$100,580
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,280
- Biological Technicians$57,510
- School Psychologists$95,990
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.