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Entry Geophysicist Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Geophysicist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Geophysicist in the United States is $98,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,712
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,900 to $107,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,885
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Geophysicist Salaries

An Entry 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Geophysicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry 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): $98,895
  • Intermediate Geophysicist (2-4 years): $110,674
  • Senior Geophysicist (4-7 years): $141,498
  • Specialist Geophysicist (7+ years): $156,295
  • Chief Geophysicist (7-10 years): $192,103
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Geophysicist0-2 years$98,895
Intermediate Geophysicist2-4 years$110,674
Senior Geophysicist4-7 years$141,498
Specialist Geophysicist7+ years$156,295
Chief Geophysicist7-10 years$192,103
View as Graph

How Do Entry 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 Entry Geophysicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,500.
  • California: $109,100.
  • Massachusetts: $107,700.

Top Paying Cities for Entry 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:

  • San Jose: $124,800
  • San Francisco: $123,400
  • Oakland: $120,800

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Geophysicist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 27.67% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Management (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Data Management comprises all disciplines related to managing data as a valuable resource. The concept of data management arose in the 1980s as technology moved from sequential processing (first cards, then tape) to random access storage. Since it was now possible to store a discreet fact and quickly access it using random access disk technology, those suggesting that data management was more important than business process management used arguments such as "a customer's home address is stored in 75 (or some other large number) places in our computer systems." However, during this period, random access processing was not competitively fast, so those suggesting "process management" was more important than "data management" used batch processing time as their primary argument. As software applications evolved into real-time, interactive usage, it became obvious that both management processes were important. If the data was not well defined, the data would be mis-used in applications. If the process wasn't well defined, it was impossible to meet user needs.
  • Geographic Information System (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): A geographic information system is a type of database containing geographic data, combined with software tools for managing, analyzing, and visualizing those data.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 27.67%
Data Management 2.63%
Geographic Information System 2.06%
See More Skills

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 an Entry Geophysicist's salary.

  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Data Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail $114,724
16%
Data Analysis $108,790
10%
Customer Service $105,823
7%
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Entry Geophysicist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Geophysicist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $114,908. While startup companies pay approximate $97,326.

Entry Geophysicist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,326
Growth Stage 51~500 $102,892
Established 501~5000 $111,007
Enterprise 5000+ $114,908

How Education impacts an Entry Geophysicist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Geophysicists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Geophysicist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,755 and $85,545).

Entry Geophysicist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Geophysicist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 38.9%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 22.2%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Entry 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 September 01, 2026
$87,900
Average $98,900/year
$107,700
$7,325
Average $8,242/month
$8,975
$1,690
Average $1,902/week
$2,071
$42
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $107,700 $8,975 $2,071 $52
Average $98,900 $8,242 $1,902 $48
25th Percentile $87,900 $7,325 $1,690 $42

Entry Geophysicist Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Geophysicist

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Geophysicist, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Crop Scientist $67,400 -32%
Intermediate Biologist $66,900 -32%
Intermediate Geologist $68,900 -30%
Intermediate Geophysicist $110,700 12%

Most common benefits for Entry Geophysicist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Geophysicist

Here are companies hiring for Entry Geophysicist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Geophysicist

1. Who hires geoscientists?

The private, for-profit sector employs geoscientists in industries such as oil and gas, geotechnical, geothermal, hydrogeology, and environmental services. They can also work for engineering firms, commercial laboratories, real estate companies, law firms, and private research institutes. Entry-level geophysicists typically earn between $77,800 and $101,500, with a median salary of $84,600.

2. What is the highest paid Geophysicist?

The highest paid Geophysicist can earn up to $101,500 annually. The salary range for Entry Geophysicists typically starts at $77,800, with a mid-level salary of $84,600. This indicates a competitive salary structure within the field, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in geophysics.

3. How much does a beginner engineer earn in USA?

Entry-level geophysicists in the USA earn between $77,800 and $101,500 annually, with a median salary of $84,600. This range reflects the starting salaries for those entering the field, providing a competitive compensation compared to other engineering disciplines.

4. Are geophysicists in demand?

Yes, geophysicists are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 5% growth in employment for geosciences over the next decade, outpacing average job growth in other fields. Entry-level geophysicists can expect salaries ranging from $77,800 to $101,500, with a median salary of $84,600, reflecting the profession's increasing value.

5. What job makes the most money?

While high-paying jobs like Obstetrician and Gynecologist or Anesthesiologist lead the list, an Entry Geophysicist also offers a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $77,800, with a mid-range of $84,600 and a maximum of $101,500, making it a lucrative option in the geosciences field.

6. What is the lowest paid geologist?

The lowest paid Entry Geophysicist earns a minimum salary of $77,800 annually. The average salary is around $84,600, while top earners can make up to $101,500. This data reflects the current salary landscape for Entry Geophysicists in the United States.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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