Geologist salary
BLS occupation: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers · Science · data for May 2025
Median salary $101,920 a year, US
Median hourly pay $49.00 an hour
Middle half earn $75,110–$139,380 25th to 75th percentile
Geologists employed 23,470 +5.1% projected by 2035
How much does a geologist make?
- The median geologist salary in the US is $101,920 a year ($49.00 an hour): half of the 23,470 geologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $116,150.
- The middle half earn between $75,110 and $139,380. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $59,330 and the top 10% more than $200,230.
- That is 100% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Texas pays geologists the most (median $145,220), followed by Rhode Island ($121,010) and Oklahoma ($119,990). Connecticut pays the least ($61,810).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Texas, where the median is worth $149,623 in typical US prices, then Oklahoma and Mississippi.
- In 89 of the 105 metro areas with data, the median geologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of geologists to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what geologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Geologist salary range
Half of geologists earn between $75,110 and $139,380 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $59,330
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $75,110
Median Yearly pay: $101,920
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $139,380
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $200,230
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $59,330 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $75,110 |
| Median | $101,920 |
| Top 25% earn over | $139,380 |
| Top 10% earn over | $200,230 |
Geologist salary by state
Texas pays geologists the most; Connecticut the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($101,920), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 median |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 median |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 median |
| Colorado | $114,410 median |
| Mississippi | $112,400 median |
| Maryland | $110,510 median |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 median |
| Alaska | $107,410 median |
| California | $106,500 median |
| Hawaii | $106,270 median |
| Washington | $105,020 median |
| New Hampshire | $101,150 median |
| Nevada | $99,890 median |
| Oregon | $98,110 median |
| Illinois | $96,950 median |
| North Carolina | $95,260 median |
| Florida | $95,140 median |
| Delaware | $93,640 median |
| Louisiana | $91,560 median |
| Idaho | $91,170 median |
| Utah | $89,990 median |
| Alabama | $88,610 median |
| New Mexico | $88,530 median |
| New Jersey | $88,500 median |
| Virginia | $88,390 median |
| Vermont | $87,070 median |
| Maine | $86,840 median |
| New York | $86,410 median |
| South Carolina | $86,070 median |
| Nebraska | $85,550 median |
| Arizona | $85,190 median |
| Pennsylvania | $84,180 median |
| North Dakota | $84,070 median |
| Missouri | $83,390 median |
| Ohio | $81,220 median |
| Michigan | $80,990 median |
| Minnesota | $80,540 median |
| Kansas | $80,080 median |
| Wisconsin | $78,610 median |
| Tennessee | $77,870 median |
| Kentucky | $77,510 median |
| West Virginia | $76,060 median |
| Montana | $75,520 median |
| Wyoming | $74,910 median |
| Iowa | $74,460 median |
| Georgia | $73,920 median |
| South Dakota | $71,150 median |
| Indiana | $68,240 median |
| Arkansas | $67,880 median |
| Connecticut | $61,810 median |
Where geologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Geologists' pay goes furthest in Texas once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Texas | $149,623 |
| Oklahoma | $136,596 |
| Mississippi | $129,265 |
| Rhode Island | $118,312 |
| Colorado | $111,022 |
| Maryland | $105,289 |
| Alaska | $104,935 |
| Louisiana | $103,801 |
| Massachusetts | $102,319 |
| North Carolina | $100,990 |
Geologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 | $69.82 | $60,100 | $287,180 | 4,900 | $149,623 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | $58.18 | $80,570 | $143,980 | – | $118,312 |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 | $57.69 | $43,040 | $197,980 | 770 | $136,596 |
| Colorado | $114,410 | $55.00 | $70,410 | $210,090 | 1,480 | $111,022 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | $54.04 | $70,970 | $161,890 | 250 | $129,265 |
| Maryland | $110,510 | $53.13 | $63,250 | $185,220 | 390 | $105,289 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 | $52.02 | $80,370 | $227,230 | 420 | $102,319 |
| Alaska | $107,410 | $51.64 | $66,330 | $176,940 | 430 | $104,935 |
| California | $106,500 | $51.20 | $45,540 | $171,270 | 3,350 | $96,189 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 | $51.09 | $83,050 | $137,720 | 110 | $96,652 |
| Washington | $105,020 | $50.49 | $75,890 | $171,690 | 840 | $98,138 |
| New Hampshire | $101,150 | $48.63 | $63,290 | $157,850 | – | $97,106 |
| Nevada | $99,890 | $48.02 | $71,240 | $154,960 | 520 | $99,911 |
| Oregon | $98,110 | $47.17 | $66,490 | $140,400 | 380 | $94,920 |
| Illinois | $96,950 | $46.61 | $65,290 | $177,670 | 410 | $96,991 |
| North Carolina | $95,260 | $45.80 | $63,060 | $143,240 | 570 | $100,990 |
| Florida | $95,140 | $45.74 | $55,440 | $164,070 | 660 | $91,999 |
| Delaware | $93,640 | $45.02 | $66,710 | $108,840 | 110 | $93,820 |
| Louisiana | $91,560 | $44.02 | $51,990 | $158,660 | 440 | $103,801 |
| Idaho | $91,170 | $43.83 | $67,200 | $174,800 | 130 | $95,472 |
| Utah | $89,990 | $43.26 | $68,850 | $132,750 | 300 | $91,024 |
| Alabama | $88,610 | $42.60 | $49,110 | $136,990 | 110 | $99,760 |
| New Mexico | $88,530 | $42.56 | $66,390 | $126,260 | 160 | $96,007 |
| New Jersey | $88,500 | $42.55 | $63,460 | $141,090 | 300 | $81,338 |
| Virginia | $88,390 | $42.50 | $62,990 | $183,040 | 300 | $87,425 |
| Vermont | $87,070 | $41.86 | $30,800 | $136,200 | – | $88,885 |
| Maine | $86,840 | $41.75 | $73,380 | $131,530 | 70 | $89,480 |
| New York | $86,410 | $41.54 | $64,990 | $139,760 | 600 | $80,068 |
| South Carolina | $86,070 | $41.38 | $47,550 | $141,480 | 230 | $91,809 |
| Nebraska | $85,550 | $41.13 | $59,990 | $117,120 | 110 | $94,947 |
| Arizona | $85,190 | $40.96 | $57,450 | $131,100 | 550 | $84,617 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,180 | $40.47 | $61,250 | $129,000 | 910 | $86,275 |
| North Dakota | $84,070 | $40.42 | $62,300 | $132,080 | 100 | $94,504 |
| Missouri | $83,390 | $40.09 | $57,260 | $130,320 | 260 | $91,822 |
| Ohio | $81,220 | $39.05 | $55,990 | $130,690 | 410 | $87,546 |
| Michigan | $80,990 | $38.94 | $62,160 | $119,960 | 320 | $84,174 |
| Minnesota | $80,540 | $38.72 | $52,710 | $157,300 | 240 | $81,666 |
| Kansas | $80,080 | $38.50 | $56,680 | $136,390 | 190 | $88,911 |
| Wisconsin | $78,610 | $37.79 | $58,790 | $132,830 | 110 | $83,543 |
| Tennessee | $77,870 | $37.44 | $56,230 | $118,110 | 230 | $84,761 |
| Kentucky | $77,510 | $37.26 | $44,130 | $115,920 | 170 | $85,970 |
| West Virginia | $76,060 | $36.57 | $52,770 | $120,250 | 90 | $84,986 |
| Montana | $75,520 | $36.31 | $54,450 | $121,100 | 210 | $79,793 |
| Wyoming | $74,910 | $36.01 | $55,130 | $116,650 | 220 | $80,817 |
| Iowa | $74,460 | $35.80 | $61,730 | $95,540 | 40 | $84,843 |
| Georgia | $73,920 | $35.54 | $58,500 | $123,550 | 340 | $76,766 |
| South Dakota | $71,150 | $34.21 | $61,290 | $78,560 | 80 | $80,317 |
| Indiana | $68,240 | $32.81 | $45,620 | $127,100 | 270 | $73,118 |
| Arkansas | $67,880 | $32.63 | $49,700 | $125,780 | 70 | $78,080 |
| Connecticut | $61,810 | $29.72 | $60,620 | $83,440 | – | $59,656 |
BLS does not publish pay for geologists in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Geologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes geologist pay: 105 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Midland, TX $219,140
- Houston, TX $174,490
- Palm Bay, FL $154,390
- Lubbock, TX $140,660
- San Jose, CA $136,120
- Santa Cruz, CA $136,120
- Santa Rosa, CA $132,790
- Dallas, TX $132,780
- Washington, DC $132,620
- Odessa, TX $129,730
Where the pay goes furthest
- Midland, TX $228,788
- Houston, TX $176,916
- Palm Bay, FL $154,382
- Lubbock, TX $154,035
- Odessa, TX $138,164
- Gulfport, MS $135,658
- New Orleans, LA $135,609
- Oklahoma City, OK $132,721
- Dallas, TX $128,800
- Grand Junction, CO $127,592
All 105 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $219,140 | 370 | $228,788 | 9% |
| Houston, TX | $174,490 | 2,380 | $176,916 | 11% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $154,390 | 40 | $154,382 | 15% |
| Lubbock, TX | $140,660 | 40 | $154,035 | 11% |
| San Jose, CA | $136,120 | 170 | $123,271 | 34% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $136,120 | 50 | $123,863 | 31% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $132,790 | 60 | $123,200 | 24% |
| Dallas, TX | $132,780 | 610 | $128,800 | 15% |
| Washington, DC | $132,620 | 320 | $121,799 | 22% |
| Odessa, TX | $129,730 | 60 | $138,164 | 15% |
| New Orleans, LA | $125,570 | 130 | $135,609 | 15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,310 | 430 | $105,793 | 34% |
| Gulfport, MS | $122,100 | 170 | $135,658 | 14% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $121,820 | 30 | $127,592 | 17% |
| Denver, CO | $120,480 | 1,020 | $113,895 | 19% |
| Providence, RI | $120,240 | – | $118,145 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $119,990 | 490 | $132,721 | 14% |
| Sacramento, CA | $119,950 | 490 | $112,450 | 23% |
| Fresno, CA | $117,420 | 60 | $114,940 | 21% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $117,420 | 50 | $108,126 | 29% |
| Chicago, IL | $114,030 | 220 | $110,073 | 23% |
| Oxnard, CA | $111,830 | 90 | $101,172 | 32% |
| Redding, CA | $111,830 | 30 | $111,070 | 18% |
| Anchorage, AK | $111,290 | 170 | $105,568 | 20% |
| Boulder, CO | $107,860 | 80 | $102,527 | 24% |
| Seattle, WA | $107,800 | 540 | $97,001 | 25% |
| Honolulu, HI | $106,260 | 90 | $95,763 | 34% |
| Longview, TX | $105,450 | 30 | $117,841 | 13% |
| Portland, OR | $105,020 | 290 | $99,620 | 21% |
| San Diego, CA | $104,760 | 310 | $93,630 | 34% |
| Wilmington, NC | $102,990 | 40 | $106,812 | 20% |
| Boston, MA | $102,730 | 240 | $94,887 | 35% |
| Miami, FL | $101,750 | 140 | $89,133 | 31% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $100,250 | 70 | $97,134 | 22% |
| Wichita, KS | $100,160 | 40 | $112,608 | 14% |
| Durham, NC | $99,560 | 60 | $102,037 | 20% |
| Billings, MT | $99,270 | 60 | $106,142 | 17% |
| Asheville, NC | $99,160 | 30 | $102,750 | 21% |
| Kennewick, WA | $97,770 | 90 | $97,693 | 21% |
| Manchester, NH | $97,610 | 40 | $92,384 | 27% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $97,470 | 80 | $97,976 | 21% |
| Orlando, FL | $97,330 | – | $95,969 | 24% |
| Tampa, FL | $95,140 | 190 | $94,301 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $94,850 | 450 | $92,488 | 24% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,660 | 810 | $83,352 | 37% |
| Reno, NV | $94,610 | 100 | $93,660 | 26% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $94,300 | – | $93,248 | 25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,030 | 160 | $92,229 | 21% |
| Austin, TX | $92,930 | 490 | $94,763 | 21% |
| Omaha, NE | $92,340 | 80 | $100,467 | 18% |
| Trenton, NJ | $92,150 | 90 | $89,310 | 33% |
| Lansing, MI | $91,100 | 70 | $95,904 | 17% |
| New York, NY | $90,810 | 400 | $80,675 | 47% |
| Tucson, AZ | $90,700 | 80 | $93,606 | 20% |
| Riverside, CA | $90,270 | 160 | $84,807 | 34% |
| Kansas City, MO | $90,060 | 100 | $97,317 | 20% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $89,770 | 40 | $91,657 | 25% |
| San Antonio, TX | $88,990 | 120 | $93,955 | 19% |
| Boise, ID | $88,640 | 50 | $90,090 | 26% |
| Columbia, SC | $88,290 | 40 | $94,264 | 21% |
| Raleigh, NC | $87,220 | 130 | $88,858 | 23% |
| Albany, NY | $86,870 | 110 | $87,249 | 23% |
| Baltimore, MD | $86,650 | 220 | $82,929 | 27% |
| Charlotte, NC | $86,420 | 120 | $88,774 | 24% |
| College Station, TX | $86,260 | 50 | $94,842 | 21% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $84,910 | 140 | $84,728 | 24% |
| Madison, WI | $84,520 | 40 | $86,877 | 25% |
| Corvallis, OR | $84,190 | 60 | $80,939 | 26% |
| Columbus, OH | $84,140 | 120 | $88,133 | 22% |
| Nashville, TN | $83,970 | 90 | $87,162 | 26% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $83,100 | 170 | $79,277 | 25% |
| Akron, OH | $83,010 | 40 | $88,904 | 19% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $81,750 | 340 | $79,126 | 25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $81,710 | 60 | $85,253 | 21% |
| Spokane, WA | $81,630 | 40 | $81,349 | 22% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,330 | 170 | $84,988 | 23% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $80,660 | 110 | $80,094 | 26% |
| Jackson, MS | $80,660 | 30 | $90,580 | 22% |
| Richmond, VA | $80,490 | 50 | $82,252 | 25% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,820 | 70 | $83,541 | 22% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $79,780 | 100 | $80,872 | 22% |
| Lafayette, LA | $79,240 | 40 | $90,862 | 21% |
| Springfield, IL | $79,190 | 40 | $85,385 | 18% |
| Syracuse, NY | $78,680 | 60 | $82,179 | 25% |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,630 | 120 | $82,692 | 22% |
| Burlington, VT | $78,570 | – | $77,831 | 40% |
| Detroit, MI | $78,500 | 80 | $78,267 | 23% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $78,290 | 90 | $82,091 | 23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $77,890 | 70 | $82,930 | 22% |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,870 | 50 | $84,121 | 27% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $76,640 | 90 | $84,424 | 21% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $76,410 | 200 | $80,711 | 23% |
| Greenville, SC | $76,060 | – | $81,557 | 25% |
| Duluth, MN | $75,450 | 30 | $84,997 | 21% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $74,150 | 40 | $76,847 | 25% |
| Rochester, NY | $73,320 | 40 | $75,560 | 25% |
| Charleston, SC | $71,500 | 60 | $70,819 | 34% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $70,200 | 40 | $74,745 | 25% |
| Atlanta, GA | $70,180 | 260 | $70,139 | 32% |
| Little Rock, AR | $69,230 | 50 | $77,470 | 21% |
| Lexington, KY | $67,700 | 70 | $72,883 | 28% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,270 | 40 | $69,175 | 29% |
| Tyler, TX | $62,840 | 40 | $68,189 | 25% |
| Shreveport, LA | $59,390 | 50 | $70,063 | 26% |
| Casper, WY | $55,130 | – | $58,756 | 31% |
What the median geologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $101,920 |
| Month | $8,493 |
| Every two weeks | $3,920 |
| Week | $1,960 |
| Hour | $49.00 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a geologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,800 |
| Self-employed | 4.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree |
| Environmental scientist | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| Forensic science technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree |
| School psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree |
| Nuclear technician | $110,240 | Associate's degree |
Questions about geologist pay
How much does a geologist make an hour?
The median is $49.00 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28.52 and the top 10% over $96.26.
How much does a geologist make a month?
About $8,493 a month before taxes at the median salary of $101,920, or $3,920 every two weeks.
What state pays geologists the most?
Texas, with a median of $145,220. Rhode Island ($121,010), Oklahoma ($119,990), Colorado ($114,410) and Mississippi ($112,400) follow.
Where do geologists make the most after cost of living?
Texas: its median of $145,220 is worth $149,623 at typical US prices. Oklahoma, Mississippi and Rhode Island come next.
How much do entry-level geologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of geologists earn under $59,330 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $75,110, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a geologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 19-2042 (Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.