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Geological Oceanographer Salary in the United States

How much does a Geological Oceanographer make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geological Oceanographer in the United States is $76,908 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Geological Oceanographer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,457
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,651 to $82,430
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,045
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Geological Oceanographer Salaries

A Geological Oceanographer'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 Geological Oceanographer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geological Oceanographer'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): $52,569
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,642
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $72,320
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,420
  • Expert (over 8 years): $111,509
Levels Salary
Contact C... Level Geological Oceanographer$52,569
Contact C... Level Geological Oceanographer$59,642
Contact C... Level Geological Oceanographer$72,320
Geologica... Level Geological Oceanographer$78,420
Contact C... Level Geological Oceanographer$111,509
View as Graph

How Do Geological Oceanographer 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 Geological Oceanographers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,152.
  • California: $84,829.
  • Massachusetts: $83,699.

Top Paying Cities for Geological Oceanographers

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: $97,004
  • San Francisco: $95,942
  • Oakland: $93,920

What Skills Can Increase a Geological Oceanographer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Accountability (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): Setting and holding oneself and others to stated expectations by associating tasks with our business's mission, values, and goals.
  • Call Center (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): A call centre or call center is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
Skills Demand Percentage
Accountability 16.67%
Call Center 16.67%
Billing 16.67%
See More Skills

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 Geological Oceanographer's salary.

  • Billing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Billing $88,444
15%
Scheduling $78,446
2%
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Geological Oceanographer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Geological Oceanographer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Geological Oceanographer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Geological Oceanographer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geological Oceanographer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$99,980$48.030%
Pharmaceuticals$96,135$46.025%
Biotechnology$92,289$44.020%
Energy & Utilities$92,289$44.020%
Insurance$88,444$43.015%

How Education impacts a Geological Oceanographer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geological Oceanographers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Geological Oceanographer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,956 and $77,233).

Geological Oceanographer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geological Oceanographer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 22.2%
High School 11.1%
Associates 22.2%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 11.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Geological Oceanographer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geological Oceanographer'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 October 01, 2026
$69,651
Average $76,908/year
$82,430
$5,804
Average $6,409/month
$6,869
$1,339
Average $1,479/week
$1,585
$33
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,430 $6,869 $1,585 $40
Average $76,908 $6,409 $1,479 $37
25th Percentile $69,651 $5,804 $1,339 $33

Most common benefits for Geological Oceanographer

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

Common company salaries for Geological Oceanographer

Here are companies hiring for Geological Oceanographer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Geological Oceanographer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Geological Oceanographer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Geological Oceanographer 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.

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