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 $110,095, a Geophysicist (2-4 years)earns $116,337, a Geophysicist III (4-7 years)earns $157,531, a Geophysicist IV (7+ years)earns $174,122, a Geophysicist V (7-10 years)earns $214,038,

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 $118,268, California $117,819, Massachusetts $116,249. 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: $192,070; Geophysicist V: $192,066; Specialist Geophysicist: $156,300; Geophysicist IV: $156,248.

Geophysicist Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Geophysicist make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geophysicist in District of Columbia is $118,268 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): $135,964
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,325 to $127,531
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,362

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Geophysicist Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$127,531	$10,628	$2,453	$61
Average	$118,268	$9,856	$2,274	$57
25th Percentile	$107,325	$8,944	$2,064	$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): $110,095
Early Career (1-2 years): $116,337
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $157,531
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $174,122
Expert (over 8 years): $214,038

Levels	Salary
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$110,095
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$116,337
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$157,531
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$174,122
Geophysic... Level Geophysicist	$214,038

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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: $118,268.
California: $117,819.
Massachusetts: $116,249.

District of Columbia $118,268 California $117,819 Massachusetts $116,249 Washington $115,822 New Jersey $115,779 Alaska $115,629 Connecticut $114,155 New York $113,557

Hawaii $111,645 Rhode Island $110,748 Maryland $110,139 Minnesota $109,306 Colorado $108,985 Illinois $108,879 Oregon $108,473 Delaware $108,174

New Hampshire $107,986 Virginia $107,565 Pennsylvania $106,336 Nevada $105,717 North Dakota $105,514 Michigan $105,193 Wisconsin $105,076 Vermont $104,841

Texas $104,189 Maine $104,147 Arizona $104,082 Ohio $104,008 Georgia $103,025 Indiana $102,534 Wyoming $102,438 Utah $102,288

Iowa $102,224 Kansas $101,711 Louisiana $101,562 North Carolina $101,508 Missouri $101,487 Florida $101,070 Montana $100,846 Nebraska $100,632

Kentucky $100,515 South Carolina $100,088 Tennessee $99,820 Idaho $99,714 New Mexico $98,934 Oklahoma $98,763 Alabama $98,133 South Dakota $97,075

Arkansas $96,498 West Virginia $96,189 Mississippi $95,259

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: $117,626
Washington: $117,627
Naval Anacost Annex: $117,622

Parcel Return Service, DC $117,626 Washington, DC $117,627 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $117,622 Washington Navy Yard, DC $117,626

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 May 01, 2026

$107,325

Average $118,268/year

$127,531

$8,944

Average $9,856/month

$10,628

$2,064

Average $2,274/week

$2,453

$52

Average $57/hour

$61

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$127,531	$10,628	$2,453	$61
Average	$118,268	$9,856	$2,274	$57
25th Percentile	$107,325	$8,944	$2,064	$52

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