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Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer in the United States is $74,101 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,429
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,001 to $81,601
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,537
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,001 10% $60,537 90% $88,429 75% $81,601 $74,101 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,601 $6,800 $1,569 $39
Average $74,101 $6,175 $1,425 $36
25th Percentile $67,001 $5,583 $1,288 $32
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salaries

An Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer'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 Level Geotechnical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer'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 Level Geotechnical Engineer (0-2 years): $74,075
  • Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer (2-4 years): $86,016
  • Senior Geotechnical Engineer (4-7 years): $110,394
  • Expert Geotechnical Engineer (7+ years): $127,833
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer0-2 years$74,075
Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer2-4 years$86,016
Senior Geotechnical Engineer4-7 years$110,394
Expert Geotechnical Engineer7+ years$127,833
$74,075 Entry Lev...
$86,016 Intermedi...
$110,394 Senior Ge...
$127,833 Expert Ge...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineers

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: $93,501
  • San Francisco: $92,501
  • Oakland: $90,501

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 11.03% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Laboratory Testing (Mentioned in 3.18% Job Postings): Performing medical procedures and testing of blood and urine samples or body substances to determine appropriate diagnosis and treatments.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 11.03%
Laboratory Testing 3.18%
AutoCAD 1.87%
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 Level Geotechnical Engineer's salary.
  • Industry Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Consultancy: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Technical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Industry Knowledge
$84,475
14%
Consultancy
$82,252
11%
Technical Skills
$80,770
9%
Presentation
$79,288
7%
Business Development
$78,547
6%
Scheduling
$78,547
6%
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How Education impacts an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Geotechnical Engineers 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 Level Geotechnical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,801 and $74,302).

Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 33.9%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 33.9%
Masters 57.9%
Doctorate 7.4%
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Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer'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

Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Geotechnical Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $86,100 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer

Salaries for an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $84,095 in 2023 to around $77,622 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$84,095
2024
$81,116
2025
$77,622
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $84,095
2024 $81,116
2025 $77,622
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer

1. Which is the richest engineering field?

The richest engineering field often includes Petroleum Engineers, who focus on extracting oil and gas. Entry Level Geotechnical Engineers earn between $67,801 and $79,501, with a mid-salary of $74,601. Other high-paying fields include Nuclear and Aerospace Engineering, but Petroleum Engineering typically offers the highest salaries.

2. Where do geotechnical engineers make the most money?

Geotechnical engineers earn varying salaries based on location and experience. For entry-level positions, salaries range from $67,801 to $79,501, with a median of $74,601. While cities like Los Angeles and Denver offer higher salaries, entry-level engineers can expect to earn around $74,185 in Knoxville, TN, reflecting the regional differences in pay.

3. Who is the most famous geotechnical engineer?

One of the most famous geotechnical engineers is Karl von Terzaghi, often referred to as the father of soil mechanics. His contributions to the field have been foundational. For entry-level geotechnical engineers today, salaries typically range from $67,801 to $79,501, with a mid-salary of $74,601, reflecting the growing importance of this discipline.

4. What is the average salary for a junior civil engineer in the US?

As of January 23, 2025, the average annual salary for an Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer in the United States ranges from $67,801 to $79,501, with a mid-salary of $74,601. This translates to approximately $32.54 to $38.19 per hour, or about $1,304 to $1,528 per week, and $5,650 to $6,610 per month.

5. Are civil engineers in demand in USA?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.5% employment growth for civil engineers between 2023 and 2033, with an estimated 22,100 jobs opening up. Entry-level geotechnical engineers can expect salaries ranging from $67,801 to $79,501, with a median salary of $74,601. Civil engineers play a crucial role in designing infrastructure like bridges, tunnels, and roads.

6. Are geotechnical engineers in demand?

Geotechnical engineering is in high demand, with a projected job growth rate significantly above the national average. Entry-level geotechnical engineers can expect salaries ranging from $67,801 to $79,501, with a median salary of $74,601. The global geotechnical engineering market, valued at $2.4 billion in 2022, is anticipated to reach $4.5 billion by 2032.

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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