Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Geologist III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geologist III in the United States is $85,576 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,187
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,038 to $98,982
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,533
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Geologist III Salaries

A 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 Geologist III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

  • Geologist I (0-2 years): $52,133
  • Geologist II (2-4 years): $68,837
  • Geologist III (4-7 years): $85,576
  • Geologist IV (7+ years): $109,159
  • Geologist V (7-10 years): $131,059
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Geologist I0-2 years$52,133
Geologist II2-4 years$68,837
Geologist III4-7 years$85,576
Geologist IV7+ years$109,159
Geologist V7-10 years$131,059
View as Graph

How Do Geologist IIIs 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 Geologist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $94,750.
  • California: $94,390.
  • Massachusetts: $93,132.

Top Paying Cities for Geologist III

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: $107,937
  • San Francisco: $106,755
  • Oakland: $104,505

What Skills Can Increase a 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%
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 a 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 $91,566
7%
Commitment $90,711
6%
Leadership $90,711
6%
Get Latest Data

Geologist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Geologist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,105. While startup companies pay approximate $78,879.

Geologist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $78,879
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,396
Established 501~5000 $89,945
Enterprise 5000+ $93,105

Geologist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Geologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Geologist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geologist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$128,364$62.050%
Energy & Utilities$102,691$49.020%
Construction$94,134$45.010%

How Education impacts an Geologist III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geologist III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Geologist III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $82,768 and $86,946.

Geologist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a 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 August 01, 2026
$74,038
Average $85,576/year
$98,982
$6,170
Average $7,131/month
$8,249
$1,424
Average $1,646/week
$1,904
$36
Average $41/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $98,982 $8,249 $1,904 $48
Average $85,576 $7,131 $1,646 $41
25th Percentile $74,038 $6,170 $1,424 $36

Geologist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Geologist III

Next Role

Advancement

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

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Biologist IV $120,870 41%
Geologist IV $109,159 28%
Geophysicist IV $156,283 83%
Hydrologist IV $142,646 67%

Most common benefits for Geologist III

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

Common company salaries for Geologist III

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

Find Your Next Geologist III Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Geologist III

1. Where can a Geologist III earn the most?

A Geologist III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Geologist III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geologist III is $107,937.

2. What is the highest pay for Geologist III?

The highest pay for Geologist III is $111,187.

3. What is the lowest pay for Geologist III?

The lowest pay for Geologist III is $63,533.

4. What are the responsibilities of Geologist III?

Researches the formation, dissolution, and content of rock layers and sediment deposits. Collects rock, soil, and mineral samples and prepares technical reports and geological maps for insight. Studies variations in rock formations and densities to identify new mineral deposits. Estimates depth, quality and size of deposits. Tests mineral quality and purity to determine the feasibility of mining. Utilizes radar imaging, drone technologies, and geological maps to collect, analyze, and interpret site data. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Geologist III?

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

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job