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Mine Geologist III Salary in the United States

How much does a Mine Geologist III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mine Geologist III in the United States is $85,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Mine Geologist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,200
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,100 to $99,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,630

Key Factors That Influence Mine Geologist III Salaries

A Mine Geologist III'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 Mine Geologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mine Geologist III'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 Geologist (0-2 years): $52,111
  • Intermediate Geologist (2-4 years): $68,817
  • Mine Geologist III (4-7 years): $85,555
  • Mine Geologist IV (7+ years): $109,123
  • Expert Geologist (7-10 years): $131,007
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Geologist0-2 years$52,111
Intermediate Geologist2-4 years$68,817
Mine Geologist III4-7 years$85,555
Mine Geologist IV7+ years$109,123
Expert Geologist7-10 years$131,007

How Do Mine Geologist III 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 Mine Geologist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $94,800.
  • California: $94,400.
  • Massachusetts: $93,200.

Top Paying Cities for Mine Geologist IIIs

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: $108,000
  • San Francisco: $106,800
  • Oakland: $104,500

What Skills Can Increase a Mine Geologist III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.45% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.58% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Environmental Science (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Environmental science refers to a grouping of scientific disciplines that are all concerned with the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the surroundings in which organisms live.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.45%
Microsoft Office 2.58%
Environmental Science 1.96%

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 Mine Geologist III's salary.

  • Resource Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Resource Management $91,592
7%
Commitment $90,736
6%
Leadership $90,736
6%

Mine Geologist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Mine Geologist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,022. While startup companies pay approximate $78,792.

Mine Geologist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $78,792
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,308
Established 501~5000 $89,856
Enterprise 5000+ $93,022

Mine Geologist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mine Geologist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Mine Geologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mine Geologist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mine Geologist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$128,400$62.050%
Energy & Utilities$102,720$49.020%
Construction$94,160$45.010%

How Education impacts a Mine Geologist III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mine Geologist IIIs 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 a Mine Geologist III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $82,485 and $86,619).

Mine Geologist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mine Geologist III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 42.7%
High School 48.0%
Associates 9.3%
Bachelors 42.7%
Masters 48.0%
Doctorate 9.3%

Mine Geologist III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mine Geologist III'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
$74,100
Average $85,600/year
$99,000
$6,175
Average $7,133/month
$8,250
$1,425
Average $1,646/week
$1,904
$36
Average $41/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,000 $8,250 $1,904 $48
Average $85,600 $7,133 $1,646 $41
25th Percentile $74,100 $6,175 $1,425 $36

Mine Geologist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Mine Geologist III, 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.

Mine Geologist III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Specialist Biologist $120,900 41%
Mine Geologist IV $109,200 28%
Specialist Geophysicist $156,300 83%
Hydrogeologist IV $143,100 67%

Most common benefits for Mine Geologist III

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

Common company salaries for Mine Geologist III

Here are companies hiring for Mine Geologist III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Mine Geologist III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Mine Geologist III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Mine Geologist III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. Who is the most famous geologist?

James Hutton (1726–1797), a Scottish farmer and naturalist, is recognized as the founder of modern geology. His keen observations and carefully reasoned geological arguments laid the groundwork for the field. Today, mine geologists earn between $80,300 and $99,800, with a median salary of $85,400, reflecting the importance of their expertise in understanding Earth's resources.

3. How much do NASA geologists make?

NASA geologists typically earn between $80,300 and $99,800 annually, with a median salary of around $85,400. This range indicates that salaries can vary significantly based on experience and specific roles within the organization.

4. Are geologists in high demand?

Yes, geologists are in high demand, with an estimated 26,300 geologists in the U.S. The job market for geologists is projected to grow by 4.9% from 2022 to 2032. Salaries for mine geologists range from $80,300 to $99,800, with a median salary of $85,400, reflecting the increasing need for their expertise in various industries.

5. What is a geologist 1?

A Geologist 1 is an entry-level position in the Geologist series or a full working level for geological assistants. This role involves responsible professional work under direct supervision, assisting senior Geologists in collecting, collating, and compiling geological data. The salary for this position ranges from $80,300 to $99,800, with a mid-point of $85,400.

6. What is a geologist III?

Category: Engineering and Scientific. The GEOLOGIST III assists in planning and developing geologic projects or programs and coordinates and participates in geological activities. The salary for this position ranges from $80,300 to $99,800, with a mid-point salary of $85,400, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved in the role.

7. What type of geologist pays the most?

Among geologists, petroleum geologists typically earn the highest salaries, followed closely by mining geologists. For mining geologists, the salary range is between $80,300 and $99,800, with a median salary of $85,400. Other high-paying roles include engineering geologists and hydrogeologists, but mining geologists remain competitive in the field.

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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