As of September 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:
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 |
An Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 11.03% |
| Laboratory Testing | 3.18% |
| AutoCAD | 1.87% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Knowledge | $84,475 | |
| Consultancy | $82,252 | |
| Technical Skills | $80,770 |
Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,391. While startup companies pay approximate $68,200.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $68,200 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $72,080 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,685 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $80,391 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
Next Role
Advancement
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.
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, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $84,095 |
| 2024 | $81,116 |
| 2025 | $77,622 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Geotechnical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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