Geotechnical Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geotechnical Engineer IV in the United States is $127,819 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $136,336
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,669 to $132,277
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,980

Key Factors That Influence Geotechnical Engineer IV Salaries

A Geotechnical Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geotechnical Engineer IV'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 IV

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: $161,218
  • San Francisco: $159,453
  • Oakland: $156,093

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 10.88% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Laboratory Testing (Mentioned in 3.49% Job Postings): Performing medical procedures and testing of blood and urine samples or body substances to determine appropriate diagnosis and treatments.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 10.88%
Laboratory Testing 3.49%
AutoCAD 2.05%

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 IV's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Geotechnical Investigation: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $158,496
24%
Geotechnical Investigation $145,714
14%
Teamwork $143,157
12%

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

Geotechnical Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $138,851. While startup companies pay approximate $117,816.

Geotechnical Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $117,816
Growth Stage 51~500 $124,516
Established 501~5000 $134,188
Enterprise 5000+ $138,851

Geotechnical Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Geotechnical Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities 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 IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geotechnical Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$153,383$74.020%
Energy & Utilities$134,210$65.05%

How Education impacts an Geotechnical Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geotechnical Engineer IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $126,311 and $129,877.

Geotechnical Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geotechnical Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 27.1%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 27.1%
Masters 50.8%
Doctorate 20.3%

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

Understanding how a Geotechnical Engineer IV'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
$122,669
Average $127,819/year
$132,277
$10,222
Average $10,652/month
$11,023
$2,359
Average $2,458/week
$2,544
$59
Average $61/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,277 $11,023 $2,544 $64
Average $127,819 $10,652 $2,458 $61
25th Percentile $122,669 $10,222 $2,359 $59

Most common benefits for Geotechnical Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Geotechnical Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Geotechnical Engineer IV

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

A Geotechnical Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Geotechnical Engineer IV is $161,218.

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

The highest pay for Geotechnical Engineer IV is $136,336.

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

The lowest pay for Geotechnical Engineer IV is $117,980.

4. What are the responsibilities of Geotechnical Engineer IV?

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 7+ years of related experience. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group.

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

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Geotechnical Engineer IV 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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