As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geotechnical Engineer II in the United States is $86,022 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:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered Talent
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Geotechnical Engineer I | 0-2 years | $74,077 |
| Geotechnical Engineer II | 2-4 years | $86,022 |
| Geotechnical Engineer III | 4-7 years | $110,400 |
| Geotechnical Engineer IV | 7+ years | $127,828 |
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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 12.05% |
| Engineering Services | 3.44% |
| Geotechnical Design | 1.89% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Design
|
$102,366 |
19%
|
|
Critical Thinking
|
$100,646 |
17%
|
|
Technical Excellence
|
$97,205 |
13%
|
|
Business Development
|
$96,345 |
12%
|
|
Geotechnical Design
|
$95,484 |
11%
|
|
Project Engineering
|
$94,624 |
10%
|
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 $93,430. While startup companies pay approximate $79,239.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $79,239 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $83,750 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $90,292 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $93,430 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geotechnical Engineer IIs 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,905 and $82,664).
Geotechnical Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
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 June 01, 2026For 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 $110,400 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.
Salaries for a Geotechnical Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $95,553 in 2023 to around $89,939 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Geotechnical Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $95,553 |
| 2024 | $92,106 |
| 2025 | $89,939 |
| 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 II and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Geotechnical Engineer II 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 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 $108,500.
The highest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II is $101,741.
The lowest pay for Geotechnical Engineer II is $67,044.
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.
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:
