Geologist Hydrogeologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Geologist Hydrogeologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geologist Hydrogeologist in the United States is $69,068 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,976
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,083 to $74,254
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,723

Key Factors That Influence Geologist Hydrogeologist Salaries

A Geologist Hydrogeologist'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 Hydrogeologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geologist Hydrogeologist'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): $52,012
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,686
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,392
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $108,916
  • Expert (over 8 years): $130,758
Levels Salary
Geologist... Level Geologist Hydrogeologist$52,012
Geologist... Level Geologist Hydrogeologist$68,686
Geologist... Level Geologist Hydrogeologist$85,392
Geologist... Level Geologist Hydrogeologist$108,916
Geologist... Level Geologist Hydrogeologist$130,758

How Do Geologist Hydrogeologist 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 Geologist Hydrogeologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,472.
  • California: $76,182.
  • Massachusetts: $75,166.

Top Paying Cities for Geologist Hydrogeologists

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: $87,115
  • San Francisco: $86,161
  • Oakland: $84,345

What Skills Can Increase a Geologist Hydrogeologist'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 a Geologist Hydrogeologist'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 $72,521
5%
Management Skills $71,830
4%
Database Management $71,830
4%

Geologist Hydrogeologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Geologist Hydrogeologist 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, Geologist Hydrogeologist positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Geologist Hydrogeologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Geologist Hydrogeologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$89,788$43.030%
Energy & Utilities$82,881$40.020%
Construction$75,974$37.010%

How Education impacts a Geologist Hydrogeologist's Salary?

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

Geologist Hydrogeologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geologist Hydrogeologist
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%

Geologist Hydrogeologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geologist Hydrogeologist'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
$62,083
Average $69,068/year
$74,254
$5,174
Average $5,756/month
$6,188
$1,194
Average $1,328/week
$1,428
$30
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,254 $6,188 $1,428 $36
Average $69,068 $5,756 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $62,083 $5,174 $1,194 $30

Most common benefits for Geologist Hydrogeologist

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

Common company salaries for Geologist Hydrogeologist

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

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FAQ about Geologist Hydrogeologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Geologist Hydrogeologist?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Geologist Hydrogeologist 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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