As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geotechnical Engineer I in the United States is $74,073 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Geotechnical Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
A Geotechnical Engineer 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Geotechnical Engineer 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Geotechnical Engineer I | 0-2 years | $74,073 |
| Geotechnical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $86,010 |
| Geotechnical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,389 |
| Geotechnical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $127,837 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Geotechnical Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 11.03% |
| Laboratory Testing | 3.18% |
| AutoCAD | 1.87% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Industry Knowledge
|
$84,443 |
14%
|
|
Consultancy
|
$82,221 |
11%
|
|
Technical Skills
|
$80,740 |
9%
|
|
Presentation
|
$79,258 |
7%
|
|
Business Development
|
$78,517 |
6%
|
|
Scheduling
|
$78,517 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geotechnical Engineer Is 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 Geotechnical Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,037 and $74,577).
Geotechnical Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.8% |
| High School | 33.9% |
| Associates | 0.8% |
| Bachelors | 33.9% |
| Masters | 57.9% |
| Doctorate | 7.4% |
Understanding how a Geotechnical Engineer 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 April 01, 2026For a Geotechnical Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Geotechnical Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $86,010 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Salaries for a Geotechnical Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $84,095 in 2023 to around $77,622 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Geotechnical Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $84,095 |
| 2024 | $81,116 |
| 2025 | $77,622 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Geotechnical Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Geotechnical Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Geotechnical Engineer 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 Geotechnical Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geotechnical Engineer I is $93,428.
The highest pay for Geotechnical Engineer I is $88,329.
The lowest pay for Geotechnical Engineer I is $60,343.
Prepares and inspects projects involving drilling and exploration. Responsible for geological mapping, report writing, site characterization, numerical modeling and analysis of excavations/supports. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
