Geoscientist Salary


How Much Does a Geoscientist Make?

On average, a Geoscientist make $104,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent made $52,500, while the top-paid 10 percent made $172,600.

Annually National Average Salary: $104,000

$52K
$66K
$104K
$127K
$172K
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

* Based on information from the May 2023 salary report from the BLS.



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Salary by State

  • Annually
  • Monthly
  • Hourly

Annual Salary by State

State 10% Annual 25% Annual Avg. Annual 75% Annual 90% Annual
Alabama$43,780$55,850$80,410$102,090$132,930
Alaska$59,940$71,830$105,780$133,220$159,450
Arizona$57,940$62,310$85,230$104,710$131,170
Arkansas$43,830$53,480$76,670$97,080$114,900
California$55,820$78,670$108,330$132,320$175,050
Colorado$52,810$76,540$121,910$167,610$206,790
Connecticut$57,130$62,600$80,800$89,730$105,060
Delaware$51,160$61,730$80,790$107,290$117,800
Florida$52,400$70,080$99,250$117,230$157,240
Georgia$52,370$57,490$77,380$91,100$124,060
Hawaii$68,220$72,360$104,030$118,800$145,600
Idaho$50,590$65,030$85,830$103,710$134,100
Illinois$61,380$71,120$94,670$110,990$146,390
Indiana$42,720$53,250$71,620$81,140$107,860
Iowa$35,320$52,750$63,780$78,450$90,210
Kansas$50,120$60,960$88,410$111,580$145,470
Kentucky$39,830$46,920$71,040$86,880$108,750
Louisiana$50,600$58,410$98,030$125,550$170,830
Maine$61,860$70,220$83,610$94,280$102,390
Maryland$57,990$61,840$103,700$134,410$172,060
Massachusetts$68,520$76,940$99,630$134,990$140,340
Michigan$50,300$62,180$79,510$86,470$110,740
Minnesota$45,950$56,500$77,650$93,830$116,810
Mississippi$61,500$76,000$101,680$123,530$139,690
Missouri$41,430$72,990$84,190$99,870$116,560
Montana$52,650$63,170$83,710$105,330$121,200
Nebraska$51,970$64,000$81,850$86,340$115,900
Nevada$50,270$65,610$85,950$101,270$129,330
New Hampshire$62,990$69,210$100,100$127,700$143,200
New Jersey$51,200$58,600$80,350$91,020$117,390
New Mexico$30,130$54,490$75,900$99,870$123,020
New York$55,260$66,130$95,770$110,530$172,600
North Carolina$58,470$64,260$87,980$104,860$132,870
North Dakota$50,680$74,900$93,680$110,600$137,840
Ohio$49,500$59,030$80,210$94,620$118,720
Oklahoma$40,550$80,140$108,870$126,270$172,680
Oregon$63,450$72,020$99,440$113,910$152,510
Pennsylvania$47,800$54,840$75,170$93,770$106,850
Rhode Island$73,540$89,790$105,860$120,140$143,960
South Carolina$30,620$52,000$79,370$106,310$121,740
South Dakota$55,280$63,660$72,010$77,980$77,980
Tennessee$48,870$58,780$83,000$98,980$120,820
Texas$59,280$81,050$139,770$179,930$#
Utah$64,140$83,780$106,380$132,040$155,940
Virginia$45,460$52,130$87,860$111,290$165,730
Washington$63,000$74,570$103,090$127,480$158,510
West Virginia$48,130$73,590$92,810$109,520$113,060
Wisconsin$42,540$58,880$74,380$83,430$126,850
Wyoming$59,010$64,110$87,650$105,120$112,710

Annual Average Salary: Top 5 States

The top earning state in the field is Texas, where the average salary is $139,770.

These are the top 5 earning states in the field:

Texas - $139,770
Colorado - $121,910
Oklahoma - $108,870
California - $108,330
Utah - $106,380

Geoscientists: Salary Overview

Geoscientists study and analyze the physical aspects of Earth to learn about its past, present, and future.

Their job responsibilities include planning and carrying out field studies, conducting laboratory tests, analyzing aerial photographs, preparing written scientific reports, making geologic maps and charts, and presenting data to clients.

In their work geoscientists use a variety of tools; for example, they may use hammers and chisels to collect rock samples on the field, x-rays, and microscopes in the laboratory and GIS and modeling software to collect and analyze data.

Some geoscientists also have to travel to different areas to make observations and meet with clients.

Geoscientist is a broad term that includes a variety of specializations, such as geochemists, geologist, geophysicist, oceanographer, seismologist, paleontologist, and more.

Their attributes vary depending on the specialty, for example, geochemists use chemistry to study the composition of elements found in groundwater, rocks, sediments, and other earth materials.

Geophysicists use physics to study the Earth’s surface and interior and its properties.

Paleontologists analyze fossils in order to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geologic history of the Earth.

Seismologists use seismographs and other instruments to study earthquakes and tsunamis.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for geoscientists, in general, was $92,040 in May 2019.

This means that half of all workers in this occupation earned less than this amount and half earned more.

Salaries for geoscientists vary widely depending on their level of experience, the field of employment, the specialty, and the level of education.

The lowest 10 percent made less than $51,000 a year, while the highest 10 percent made more than $187, 910 per year.

Geoscientist Salary by Industry

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, geoscientists held about 31,000 jobs in 2018, most of them working for companies that provide architectural, engineering, and related services, in the field of mining, quarrying, and oil extraction or for the federal government.

The report published by BLS shows that the median annual wage for geoscientists who worked in the field of mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction was $126,750 while those who worked for the federal government earned around $100,590 per year.

The median annual salary for geoscientists who work for companies that provide architectural, engineering, and related services was $82,190 while geoscientists who work for colleges, universities, and professional schools made around $76,580 per year.

State governments paid a median annual wage for geoscientists of $74,010.

Most geoscientists work full time but they may also work overtime to meet a project’s deadline.

Many geoscientists also receive health and dental insurance, paid vacation days, and other benefits.

The exact compensation package depends on the geoscientist’s level of experience, his or her role in the company, and the employer.

Some of them may also receive bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing and these can supplement their annual earning with several thousands of dollars.

Job Prospects

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for geoscientists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028.

This growth is ignited, in part, by the increasing need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management.

Geoscientists will also be involved in finding and developing alternative sources of energy and to evaluate if the land is suitable for geothermal energy pants.

However, in some industries, the demand for geoscientists is expected to increase only modestly while others may grow much faster.

Your job prospects as a new graduate will also depend on the region of employment and your specialty.

Choosing to specialize in alternative energy sources, such as wind and geothermal energy may give you better job prospects.

* Based on information from the May 2023 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Geoscientists. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.

* Employment conditions in your area may vary.


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