Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Geophysicist III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geophysicist III in the United States is $141,498 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $183,851
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,425 to $163,667
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,060
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Geophysicist III Salaries

A Geophysicist 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 Geophysicist III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geophysicist 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:

  • Geophysicist I (0-2 years): $98,895
  • Geophysicist II (2-4 years): $110,674
  • Geophysicist III (4-7 years): $141,498
  • Geophysicist IV (7+ years): $156,295
  • Geophysicist V (7-10 years): $192,103
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Geophysicist I0-2 years$98,895
Geophysicist II2-4 years$110,674
Geophysicist III4-7 years$141,498
Geophysicist IV7+ years$156,295
Geophysicist V7-10 years$192,103
View as Graph

How Do Geophysicist 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 Geophysicist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $156,667.
  • California: $156,072.
  • Massachusetts: $153,992.

Top Paying Cities for Geophysicist 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: $178,471
  • San Francisco: $176,517
  • Oakland: $172,797

What Skills Can Increase a Geophysicist III'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 27.59%
Data Management 2.59%
Geographic Information System 2.04%
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 III'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 $169,798
20%
Artificial Intelligence $162,723
15%
Data Management $161,308
14%
Get Latest Data

Geophysicist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Geophysicist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $164,401. While startup companies pay approximate $139,246.

Geophysicist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $139,246
Growth Stage 51~500 $147,209
Established 501~5000 $158,820
Enterprise 5000+ $164,401

How Education impacts a Geophysicist III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geophysicist 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 Geophysicist III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Geophysicist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geophysicist III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 21.7%
High School 52.2%
Associates 26.1%
Bachelors 21.7%
Masters 52.2%
Doctorate 26.1%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Geophysicist 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
$122,425
Average $141,498/year
$163,667
$10,202
Average $11,792/month
$13,639
$2,354
Average $2,721/week
$3,147
$59
Average $68/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,667 $13,639 $3,147 $79
Average $141,498 $11,792 $2,721 $68
25th Percentile $122,425 $10,202 $2,354 $59

Geophysicist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Geophysicist III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Geophysicist 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 $120,886 -15%
Geologist IV $109,123 -23%
Geophysicist IV $156,295 10%
Hydrologist IV $143,029 1%

Most common benefits for Geophysicist III

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

Common company salaries for Geophysicist III

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

Find Your Next Geophysicist III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Geophysicist 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 Geophysicist III

1. Where can a Geophysicist III earn the most?

A Geophysicist 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 Geophysicist III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geophysicist III is $178,471.

2. What is the highest pay for Geophysicist III?

The highest pay for Geophysicist III is $183,851.

3. What is the lowest pay for Geophysicist III?

The lowest pay for Geophysicist III is $105,060.

4. What are the responsibilities of Geophysicist III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 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.

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