What are the main factors that influence a Geophysicist's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Geophysicist's salary?

A Geophysicist's salary grows with experience: a Geophysicist I (0-2 years)earns $110,151, a Geophysicist (2-4 years)earns $116,373, a Geophysicist III (4-7 years)earns $157,608, a Geophysicist IV (7+ years)earns $174,148, a Geophysicist V (7-10 years)earns $214,059,

What are the highest paying states for a Geophysicist?

Geophysicist salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Geophysicist roles are District of Columbia $118,308, California $117,859, Massachusetts $116,288. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Geophysicist roles make?

Salaries for Geophysicist level roles vary by specialization: Chief Geophysicist: $192,100; Expert Geophysicist: $192,090; Geophysicist V: $192,085; Specialist Geophysicist: $156,300; Geophysicist IV: $156,271.

Geophysicist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Geophysicist make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geophysicist in District of Columbia is $118,308 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $136,050
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,378 to $127,595
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,427

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Geophysicist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$127,595	$10,633	$2,454	$61
Average	$118,308	$9,859	$2,275	$57
25th Percentile	$107,378	$8,948	$2,065	$52

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Key Factors That Influence Geophysicist Salaries

A Geophysicist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Geophysicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geophysicist'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): $110,151
Early Career (1-2 years): $116,373
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $157,608
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $174,148
Expert (over 8 years): $214,059

Levels	Salary
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$110,151
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$116,373
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$157,608
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$174,148
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$214,059

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Geophysicist 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 Geophysicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $118,308.
California: $117,859.
Massachusetts: $116,288.

District of Columbia $118,308 California $117,859 Massachusetts $116,288 Washington $115,861 New Jersey $115,818 Alaska $115,668 Connecticut $114,194 New York $113,595

Hawaii $111,683 Rhode Island $110,785 Maryland $110,176 Minnesota $109,343 Colorado $109,022 Illinois $108,915 Oregon $108,509 Delaware $108,210

New Hampshire $108,022 Virginia $107,601 Pennsylvania $106,372 Nevada $105,752 North Dakota $105,549 Michigan $105,229 Wisconsin $105,111 Vermont $104,876

Texas $104,224 Maine $104,182 Arizona $104,118 Ohio $104,043 Georgia $103,060 Indiana $102,568 Wyoming $102,472 Utah $102,322

Iowa $102,258 Kansas $101,745 Louisiana $101,596 North Carolina $101,542 Missouri $101,521 Florida $101,104 Montana $100,880 Nebraska $100,666

Kentucky $100,549 South Carolina $100,121 Tennessee $99,854 Idaho $99,747 New Mexico $98,967 Oklahoma $98,796 Alabama $98,166 South Dakota $97,108

Arkansas $96,531 West Virginia $96,221 Mississippi $95,292

Top Paying Cities for Geophysicists

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:

Parcel Return Service: $117,665
Washington: $117,667
Naval Anacost Annex: $117,661

Parcel Return Service, DC $117,665 Washington, DC $117,667 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $117,661 Washington Navy Yard, DC $117,665

Geophysicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geophysicist'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 July 01, 2026

$107,378

Average $118,308/year

$127,595

$8,948

Average $9,859/month

$10,633

$2,065

Average $2,275/week

$2,454

$52

Average $57/hour

$61

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$127,595	$10,633	$2,454	$61
Average	$118,308	$9,859	$2,275	$57
25th Percentile	$107,378	$8,948	$2,065	$52

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