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Geophysicist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Geophysicist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geophysicist I in the United States is $98,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,515
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,865 to $107,582
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,846
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Geophysicist I Salaries

A Geophysicist I'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 Geophysicist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geophysicist I'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:

  • Geophysicist I (0-2 years): $98,869
  • Geophysicist II (2-4 years): $104,443
  • Geophysicist III (4-7 years): $141,464
  • Geophysicist IV (7+ years): $156,283
  • Geophysicist V (7-10 years): $192,094
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Geophysicist I0-2 years$98,869
Geophysicist II2-4 years$104,443
Geophysicist III4-7 years$141,464
Geophysicist IV7+ years$156,283
Geophysicist V7-10 years$192,094
View as Graph

How Do Geophysicist Is 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 Geophysicist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,468.
  • California: $109,053.
  • Massachusetts: $107,599.

Top Paying Cities for Geophysicist I

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: $124,703
  • San Francisco: $123,338
  • Oakland: $120,739

What Skills Can Increase a Geophysicist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 27.67% 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 2.63% 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 2.06% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 27.67%
Data Management 2.63%
Geographic Information System 2.06%
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 Geophysicist I's salary.

  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Data Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail $114,688
16%
Data Analysis $108,756
10%
Customer Service $105,790
7%
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Geophysicist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Geophysicist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,200. While startup companies pay approximate $97,560.

Geophysicist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,560
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,151
Established 501~5000 $111,288
Enterprise 5000+ $115,200

How Education impacts an Geophysicist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geophysicist I 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 Geophysicist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,047 and $85,833.

Geophysicist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geophysicist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 2.8%
Bachelors 38.9%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 22.2%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Geophysicist I'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
$87,865
Average $98,869/year
$107,582
$7,322
Average $8,239/month
$8,965
$1,690
Average $1,901/week
$2,069
$42
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $107,582 $8,965 $2,069 $52
Average $98,869 $8,239 $1,901 $48
25th Percentile $87,865 $7,322 $1,690 $42

Geophysicist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Geophysicist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Geophysicist I, 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
Agronomist $67,342 -32%
Biologist II $66,838 -32%
Geologist II $68,837 -30%
Geophysicist II $104,443 6%

Most common benefits for Geophysicist I

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

Common company salaries for Geophysicist I

Here are companies hiring for Geophysicist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Geophysicist I

1. Where can a Geophysicist I earn the most?

A Geophysicist I'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 Geophysicist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geophysicist I is $124,703.

2. What is the highest pay for Geophysicist I?

The highest pay for Geophysicist I is $115,515.

3. What is the lowest pay for Geophysicist I?

The lowest pay for Geophysicist I is $77,846.

4. What are the responsibilities of Geophysicist I?

Designs, coordinates, and conducts geophysical surveys using seismic, magnetic, gravity, electrical, and electromagnetic methods and technologies. Collects, processes, and interprets site data to develop maps and models to identify subsurface features. Communicates with engineers, geologists, and other environmental scientists to collaborate on research, exploration, and development projects. Monitors tectonic movements, magnetic fields, and seismic patterns to evaluate their impact on the organization's projects or infrastructure. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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