Engineering Geology Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineering Geology make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineering Geology in the United States is $66,323 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Engineering Geology's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,453
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,615 to $71,625
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,596

Key Factors That Influence Engineering Geology Salaries

An Engineering Geology'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 Engineering Geology Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineering Geology'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $51,439
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,929
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,451
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,715
  • Expert (over 8 years): $129,317
Levels Salary
Geologist... Level Engineering Geology$51,439
Engineeri... Level Engineering Geology$67,929
Geologist... Level Engineering Geology$84,451
Geologist... Level Engineering Geology$107,715
Geologist... Level Engineering Geology$129,317

How Do Engineering Geology 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 Engineering Geologies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,433.
  • California: $73,155.
  • Massachusetts: $72,180.

Top Paying Cities for Engineering Geologies

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: $83,654
  • San Francisco: $82,738
  • Oakland: $80,994

What Skills Can Increase an Engineering Geology's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.56% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Chemistry (Mentioned in 2.16% Job Postings): Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances of which matter is composed.
  • Environmental Consulting (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Environmental consulting is often a form of compliance consulting, in which the consultant ensures that the client maintains an appropriate measure of compliance with environmental regulations. There are many types of environmental consultants, but the two main groups are those who enter the field from the industry side, and those who enter the field from the environmentalist side. Environmental consultants work in a very wide variety of fields. Whether it be providing construction services such as Asbestos Hazard Assessments or Lead Hazard Assessments or conducting due diligence reports for customers to rid them of possible sanctions. Consultancies may generalize across a wide range of disciplines or specialize in certain areas of environmental consultancy such as waste management. Environmental consultants usually have an undergraduate degree and sometimes even master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, or some other science discipline. They should have deep knowledge on environmental regulations, which they can advise particular clients in the private industry or public government institutions to help them steer clear of possible fines, legal action or misguided transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.56%
Chemistry 2.16%
Environmental Consulting 1.47%

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 an Engineering Geology's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Database Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $69,639
5%
Management Skills $68,976
4%
Database Management $68,976
4%

Engineering Geology Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineering Geology roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Engineering Geology positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineering Geology as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineering Geology

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$86,220$41.030%
Energy & Utilities$79,588$38.020%
Construction$72,956$35.010%

How Education impacts an Engineering Geology's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineering Geologies 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 an Engineering Geology with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,309 and $69,886).

Engineering Geology Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineering Geology
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 58.6%
High School 37.9%
Associates 3.4%
Bachelors 58.6%
Masters 37.9%
Doctorate 3.4%

Engineering Geology Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineering Geology'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
$58,615
Average $66,323/year
$71,625
$4,885
Average $5,527/month
$5,969
$1,127
Average $1,275/week
$1,377
$28
Average $32/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,625 $5,969 $1,377 $34
Average $66,323 $5,527 $1,275 $32
25th Percentile $58,615 $4,885 $1,127 $28

Most common benefits for Engineering Geology

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

Common company salaries for Engineering Geology

Here are companies hiring for Engineering Geology and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Engineering Geology Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Engineering Geology 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 Engineering Geology

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Engineering Geology?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineering Geology roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.

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