College Professor - Geological Sciences Salary in the United States

How much does a College Professor - Geological Sciences make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Professor - Geological Sciences in the United States is $111,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, a College Professor - Geological Sciences's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,987
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,900 to $128,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,336
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View as table View as graph 25% $97,900 10% $85,336 90% $143,987 75% $128,600 $111,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Professor - Geological Sciences Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $128,600 $10,717 $2,473 $62
Average $111,700 $9,308 $2,148 $54
25th Percentile $97,900 $8,158 $1,883 $47

Key Factors That Influence College Professor - Geological Sciences Salaries

A College Professor - Geological Sciences'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Professor - Geological Sciences Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Professor - Geological Sciences'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:

  • College Instructor - Geological Sciences (0-0 years): $63,849
  • College Assistant Professor - Geological Sciences (0-0 years): $71,441
  • College Associate Professor - Geological Sciences (0-0 years): $87,890
  • College Professor - Geological Sciences (0-0 years): $111,623
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Geological Sciences0-0 years$63,849
College Assistant Professor - Geological Sciences0-0 years$71,441
College Associate Professor - Geological Sciences0-0 years$87,890
College Professor - Geological Sciences0-0 years$111,623
$63,849 College I...
$71,441 College A...
$87,890 College A...
$111,623 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College Professor - Geological Sciences

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:

  • San Jose: $140,800
  • San Francisco: $139,300
  • Oakland: $136,400

What Skills Can Increase a College Professor - Geological Sciences's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.14% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Special Education (Mentioned in 3.49% Job Postings): Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.
  • Academic Advising (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): Academic advising is, according to the National Academic Advising Association, "a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students' educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes."
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.14%
Special Education 3.49%
Academic Advising 1.16%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Professor - Geological Sciences's salary.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Chemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Planning
$120,636
8%
Problem Solving
$120,636
8%
Chemistry
$117,285
5%
Collaboration
$116,168
4%
Initiative
$116,168
4%
Partnering
$113,934
2%
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College Professor - Geological Sciences Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Professor - Geological Sciences salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,360. While startup companies pay approximate $98,529.

College Professor - Geological Sciences Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$98,529
Growth Stage51~500$103,965
Established501~5000$111,683
Enterprise5000+$115,360

College Professor - Geological Sciences Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For College Professor - Geological Sciences roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, College Professor - Geological Sciences positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Professor - Geological Sciences as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Professor - Geological Sciences

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$128,455$62.015%

How Education impacts a College Professor - Geological Sciences's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Professor - Geological Sciences enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Professor - Geological Sciences with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $111,612 and $136,315).

College Professor - Geological Sciences Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Professor - Geological Sciences
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 14.3%
High School 28.6%
Associates 57.1%
Bachelors 14.3%
Masters 28.6%
Doctorate 57.1%
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College Professor - Geological Sciences Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Professor - Geological Sciences'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for College Professor - Geological Sciences

Salaries for a College Professor - Geological Sciences can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Professor - Geological Sciences salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Professor - Geological Sciences Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Professor - Geological Sciences

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for College Professor - Geological Sciences

Here are companies hiring for College Professor - Geological Sciences and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about College Professor - Geological Sciences

1. What industry pays the highest salary for College Professor - Geological Sciences?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for College Professor - Geological Sciences roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

2. Do you need a PhD to be a professor?

To become a college professor in Geological Sciences, a PhD is typically required, especially at four-year institutions. While some two-year colleges may accept instructors with a master's degree for introductory courses, the majority of four-year schools expect a doctorate. Salaries for college professors in this field range from $92,100 to $176,500, with a median of $118,600.

3. How much does a college professor make with a doctorate?

A college professor in Geological Sciences with a doctorate can expect to earn between $92,100 and $176,500 annually, with a median salary of $118,600. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and institution types, indicating a competitive salary for this academic role.

4. Do college professors get paid more than high school teachers?

Yes, college professors generally earn more than high school teachers. For example, professors in Geological Sciences have a salary range from $92,100 to $176,500, with a mid-salary of $118,600. This is significantly higher than the average salary of high school teachers, which is around $79,000. Factors such as field of study and institution type can influence these salaries.

5. How much do American College of Education professors make?

American College of Education professors earn varying salaries based on their roles. For example, adjunct professors typically make between $53K and $87K, while full-time faculty earn between $54K and $90K. In contrast, college professors in Geological Sciences have a salary range from $92,100 to $176,500, with a mid-salary of $118,600.

6. How much a college professor earns in USA?

In the USA, a college professor in Geological Sciences earns between $92,100 and $176,500 annually. The average salary is around $118,600, reflecting the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field. Entry-level positions typically start at $92,100, while seasoned professionals can earn significantly more.

7. What type of college professor makes the most money?

College professors in Geological Sciences can earn significant salaries, with a minimum of $92,100, a mid-range salary of $118,600, and a maximum of $176,500. This places them among the higher-paying fields, often surpassing many other disciplines in academia.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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