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Senior Geophysicist Salary in Costa Mesa, CA

How much does a Senior Geophysicist make in Costa Mesa, CA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Geophysicist in Costa Mesa, CA is $155,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $201,724
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $134,300 to $179,600
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,181
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View as table View as graph 25% $134,300 10% $115,181 90% $201,724 75% $179,600 $155,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Geophysicist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $179,600 $14,967 $3,454 $86
Average $155,300 $12,942 $2,987 $75
25th Percentile $134,300 $11,192 $2,583 $65
Check out Senior Geophysicist Job Openings in Costa Mesa, CA
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David Yurman - Costa Mesa, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Senior Geophysicist Salaries

A Senior 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, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Geophysicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior 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): $108,484
  • Intermediate Geophysicist (2-4 years): $114,600
  • Senior Geophysicist (4-7 years): $155,221
  • Specialist Geophysicist (7+ years): $171,482
  • Chief Geophysicist (7-10 years): $210,775
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Geophysicist0-2 years$108,484
Intermediate Geophysicist2-4 years$114,600
Senior Geophysicist4-7 years$155,221
Specialist Geophysicist7+ years$171,482
Chief Geophysicist7-10 years$210,775
$108,484 Entry Geo...
$114,600 Intermedi...
$155,221 Senior Ge...
$171,482 Specialis...
$210,775 Chief Geo...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Senior 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: $178,500
  • San Francisco: $176,500
  • Oakland: $172,800

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Geophysicist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 27.59% 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 2.59% 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 2.04% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 27.59%
Data Management 2.59%
Geographic Information System 2.04%
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 Senior Geophysicist's salary.
  • Google Earth: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Artificial Intelligence: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Data Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Google Earth
$186,360
20%
Artificial Intelligence
$178,595
15%
Data Management
$177,042
14%
Dedication
$170,830
10%
Decision Making
$166,171
7%
Flexibility
$164,618
6%
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Senior Geophysicist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Geophysicist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $180,952. While startup companies pay approximate $153,244.

Senior Geophysicist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$153,244
Growth Stage51~500$162,026
Established501~5000$174,807
Enterprise5000+$180,952

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

Understanding how a Senior 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 August 01, 2026

Senior Geophysicist Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Senior 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.

Senior Geophysicist Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Specialist Biologist $132,700 -15%
Mine Geologist IV $119,800 -23%
Specialist Geophysicist $171,500 10%
Hydrogeologist IV $156,600 1%

Find Your Next Senior Geophysicist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Geophysicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • David Yurman

    Costa Mesa, CA

    David Yurman | Costa Mesa, CA

    Overview. The Part-time Seasonal Operations Support at South Coast Plaza provides administrative and logistical support for the Retail Store Operations Sta... more

    2 Days Ago

  • David Yurman

    Costa Mesa, CA

    David Yurman | Costa Mesa, CA

    Overview. The South Coast Plaza Part-Time Seasonal Brand Ambassador will promote the company’s image in a positive manner to customers by delivering a supe... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Manning Kass

    Costa Mesa, CA

    Manning Kass | Costa Mesa, CA

    Law and Motion Associate - SWAT Team. Job Post Title. Law and Motion Associate. Location (California). Costa Mesa. Remote Work Flexibility. Experience the ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CBRE

    Costa Mesa, CA

    CBRE | Costa Mesa, CA

    About the Role. As a Technician II, you will be a vital contributor to the robust operation of our Data Center, focusing on the meticulous installation, de... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ANDURIL INDUSTRIES

    Costa Mesa, CA

    ANDURIL INDUSTRIES | Costa Mesa, CA

    Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Manning Kass

    Costa Mesa, CA

    Manning Kass | Costa Mesa, CA

    Civil Defense Litigation Associate. Location- (California). Los Angeles, CA. Costa Mesa, CA. San Diego, CA. Hybrid Work Flexibility. Experience the freedom... more

    6 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Costa Mesa, CA

Cost of Living in Costa Mesa, CA is
42.6% Higher
than the National Average

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