Geologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Geologist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geologist in the United States is $67,884 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,891
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,000 to $73,122
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,733
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,000 10% $54,733 90% $77,891 75% $73,122 $67,884 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Geologist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,122 $6,094 $1,406 $35
Average $67,884 $5,657 $1,305 $33
25th Percentile $61,000 $5,083 $1,173 $29
Check out Geologist Job Openings in the United States
Geologist, Lead with Security Clearance

Booz Allen Hamilton - RESTON, VA

SUPERVISORY ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER/GEOLOGIST with Security Clearance

Department of the Navy - WASHINGTON, DC

SUPERVISORY ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER/GEOLOGIST with Security Clearance

Department of Defense - WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DC

Radiologic Technologist

Three Rivers Health - BASIN, WY

Search More Geologist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Geologist Salaries

A Geologist'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 Geologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geologist'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): $51,162
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,499
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,890
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,065
  • Expert (over 8 years): $128,608
Levels Salary
Geologist... Level Geologist$51,162
Geologist... Level Geologist$67,499
Geologist... Level Geologist$83,890
Geologist... Level Geologist$107,065
Geologist... Level Geologist$128,608
$51,162 0 yr
$67,499 < 2 yrs
$83,890 2-4 yrs
$107,065 5-8 yrs
$128,608 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Geologists

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: $85,622
  • San Francisco: $84,780
  • Oakland: $82,900

What Skills Can Increase a Geologist'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.
See More Skills
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 a Geologist'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
$71,278
5%
Management Skills
$70,599
4%
Database Management
$70,599
4%
Commitment
$69,921
3%
Initiative
$69,921
3%
Sustainability
$69,242
2%
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How Education impacts a Geologist's Salary?

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

Geologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geologist
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%
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Geologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geologist'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Geologist

Salaries for a Geologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $92,956 in 2023 to around $85,857 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Geologist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Geologist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$92,956
2024
$87,831
2025
$85,857
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $92,956
2024 $87,831
2025 $85,857
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Geologist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Geologist

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Geologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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