What are the main factors that influence a Chief Geophysicist's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Chief Geophysicist's salary?

A Chief Geophysicist's salary grows with experience: an Entry Geophysicist (0-2 years)earns $109,384, an Intermediate Geophysicist (2-4 years)earns $115,586, a Senior Geophysicist (4-7 years)earns $156,514, a Specialist Geophysicist (7+ years)earns $172,998, a Chief Geophysicist (7-10 years)earns $212,655,

What are the highest paying states for a Chief Geophysicist?

Chief Geophysicist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Chief Geophysicist roles are District of Columbia $212,700, California $211,900, Massachusetts $209,100. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Chief Geophysicist roles make?

Salaries for Chief Geophysicist level roles vary by specialization: Expert Geophysicist: $192,070; Geophysicist V: $192,066; Specialist Geophysicist: $156,300; Geophysicist IV: $156,248; Senior Geophysicist: $141,400.

Chief Geophysicist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Chief Geophysicist make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Geophysicist in District of Columbia is $212,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $102.

However, a Chief Geophysicist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $231,996
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $209,700 to $222,800
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $206,969

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Chief Geophysicist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$222,800	$18,567	$4,285	$107
Average	$212,700	$17,725	$4,090	$102
25th Percentile	$209,700	$17,475	$4,033	$101

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Key Factors That Influence Chief Geophysicist Salaries

A Chief Geophysicist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chief Geophysicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Geophysicist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry Geophysicist (0-2 years): $109,384
Intermediate Geophysicist (2-4 years): $115,586
Senior Geophysicist (4-7 years): $156,514
Specialist Geophysicist (7+ years): $172,998
Chief Geophysicist (7-10 years): $212,655

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Entry Geophysicist	0-2 years	$109,384
Intermediate Geophysicist	2-4 years	$115,586
Senior Geophysicist	4-7 years	$156,514
Specialist Geophysicist	7+ years	$172,998
Chief Geophysicist	7-10 years	$212,655

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Chief Geophysicist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Geophysicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $212,700.
California: $211,900.
Massachusetts: $209,100.

District of Columbia $212,700 California $211,900 Massachusetts $209,100 Washington $208,300 New Jersey $208,200 Alaska $208,000 Connecticut $205,300 New York $204,200

Hawaii $200,800 Rhode Island $199,200 Maryland $198,100 Minnesota $196,600 Colorado $196,000 Illinois $195,800 Oregon $195,100 Delaware $194,600

New Hampshire $194,200 Virginia $193,500 Pennsylvania $191,300 Nevada $190,100 North Dakota $189,800 Michigan $189,200 Wisconsin $189,000 Vermont $188,600

Texas $187,400 Maine $187,300 Arizona $187,200 Ohio $187,100 Georgia $185,300 Indiana $184,400 Wyoming $184,200 Utah $184,000

Iowa $183,900 Kansas $182,900 Louisiana $182,700 North Carolina $182,600 Missouri $182,500 Florida $181,800 Montana $181,400 Nebraska $181,000

Kentucky $180,800 South Carolina $180,000 Tennessee $179,500 Idaho $179,300 New Mexico $177,900 Oklahoma $177,600 Alabama $176,500 South Dakota $174,600

Arkansas $173,600 West Virginia $173,000 Mississippi $171,300

Top Paying Cities for Chief Geophysicists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $211,600
Washington: $211,600
Naval Anacost Annex: $211,500

Parcel Return Service, DC $211,600 Washington, DC $211,600 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $211,500 Washington Navy Yard, DC $211,600

Chief Geophysicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Geophysicist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

$209,700

Average $212,700/year

$222,800

$17,475

Average $17,725/month

$18,567

$4,033

Average $4,090/week

$4,285

$101

Average $102/hour

$107

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$222,800	$18,567	$4,285	$107
Average	$212,700	$17,725	$4,090	$102
25th Percentile	$209,700	$17,475	$4,033	$101

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