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Geotechnical Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Geotechnical Engineer II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geotechnical Engineer II in the United States is $86,034 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Geotechnical Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,782
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,100 to $94,277
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,056

Key Factors That Influence Geotechnical Engineer II Salaries

A Geotechnical Engineer II'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 Geotechnical Engineer II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geotechnical Engineer II'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:

  • Geotechnical Engineer I (0-2 years): $74,081
  • Geotechnical Engineer II (2-4 years): $86,034
  • Geotechnical Engineer III (4-7 years): $110,410
  • Geotechnical Engineer IV (7+ years): $127,819
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Geotechnical Engineer I0-2 years$74,081
Geotechnical Engineer II2-4 years$86,034
Geotechnical Engineer III4-7 years$110,410
Geotechnical Engineer IV7+ years$127,819

Top Paying Cities for Geotechnical Engineer II

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: $108,515
  • San Francisco: $107,327
  • Oakland: $105,065

What Skills Can Increase a Geotechnical Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 12.05% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Engineering Services (Mentioned in 3.44% Job Postings): Engineering services" means any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training and experience in the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences
  • Geotechnical Design (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Geotechnical Design the inclusive investigation of subsurface soil/rock/water conditions, the analysis of the soil structure interaction between these conditions and proposed engineered structures, and the design of a functional structure(s).
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 12.05%
Engineering Services 3.44%
Geotechnical Design 1.89%

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 Geotechnical Engineer II's salary.

  • Project Design: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Technical Excellence: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Design $102,380
19%
Critical Thinking $100,660
17%
Technical Excellence $97,218
13%

Geotechnical Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Geotechnical Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,459. While startup companies pay approximate $79,301.

Geotechnical Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,301
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,811
Established 501~5000 $90,321
Enterprise 5000+ $93,459

Geotechnical Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Geotechnical Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Geotechnical Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Geotechnical Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geotechnical Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$103,241$50.020%
Construction$94,637$45.010%

How Education impacts an Geotechnical Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geotechnical Engineer II 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 Geotechnical Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,905 and $82,664.

Geotechnical Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geotechnical Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 32.9%
High School 59.8%
Associates 7.3%
Bachelors 32.9%
Masters 59.8%
Doctorate 7.3%

Geotechnical Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geotechnical Engineer II'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
$76,100
Average $86,034/year
$94,277
$6,342
Average $7,170/month
$7,856
$1,463
Average $1,655/week
$1,813
$37
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,277 $7,856 $1,813 $45
Average $86,034 $7,170 $1,655 $41
25th Percentile $76,100 $6,342 $1,463 $37

Geotechnical Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Geotechnical Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Geotechnical Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $110,410 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Geotechnical Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Geotechnical Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Geotechnical Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Geotechnical Engineer II

1. Where can a Geotechnical Engineer II earn the most?

A Geotechnical Engineer II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geotechnical Engineer II is $108,515.

2. What is the highest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II?

The highest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II is $101,782.

3. What is the lowest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II?

The lowest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II is $67,056.

4. What are the responsibilities of Geotechnical Engineer II?

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 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Geotechnical Engineer II?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Geotechnical Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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