Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Mean (average) | $116,150 | $55.84 |
| 90th percentile | $200,230 | $96.26 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 50 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $88,610 | $49,110 | $136,990 | 110 | 0.34 |
| Alaska | $107,410 | $66,330 | $176,940 | 430 | 8.78 |
| Arizona | $85,190 | $57,450 | $131,100 | 550 | 1.13 |
| Arkansas | $67,880 | $49,700 | $125,780 | 70 | 0.36 |
| California | $106,500 | $45,540 | $171,270 | 3,350 | 1.22 |
| Colorado | $114,410 | $70,410 | $210,090 | 1,480 | 3.42 |
| Connecticut | $61,810 | $60,620 | $83,440 | ||
| Delaware | $93,640 | $66,710 | $108,840 | 110 | 1.57 |
| Florida | $95,140 | $55,440 | $164,070 | 660 | 0.44 |
| Georgia | $73,920 | $58,500 | $123,550 | 340 | 0.46 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 | $83,050 | $137,720 | 110 | 1.14 |
| Idaho | $91,170 | $67,200 | $174,800 | 130 | 0.98 |
| Illinois | $96,950 | $65,290 | $177,670 | 410 | 0.44 |
| Indiana | $68,240 | $45,620 | $127,100 | 270 | 0.56 |
| Iowa | $74,460 | $61,730 | $95,540 | 40 | 0.17 |
| Kansas | $80,080 | $56,680 | $136,390 | 190 | 0.87 |
| Kentucky | $77,510 | $44,130 | $115,920 | 170 | 0.56 |
| Louisiana | $91,560 | $51,990 | $158,660 | 440 | 1.51 |
| Maine | $86,840 | $73,380 | $131,530 | 70 | 0.67 |
| Maryland | $110,510 | $63,250 | $185,220 | 390 | 0.93 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 | $80,370 | $227,230 | 420 | 0.77 |
| Michigan | $80,990 | $62,160 | $119,960 | 320 | 0.49 |
| Minnesota | $80,540 | $52,710 | $157,300 | 240 | 0.54 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | $70,970 | $161,890 | 250 | 1.41 |
| Missouri | $83,390 | $57,260 | $130,320 | 260 | 0.58 |
| Montana | $75,520 | $54,450 | $121,100 | 210 | 2.68 |
| Nebraska | $85,550 | $59,990 | $117,120 | 110 | 0.71 |
| Nevada | $99,890 | $71,240 | $154,960 | 520 | 2.21 |
| New Hampshire | $101,150 | $63,290 | $157,850 | ||
| New Jersey | $88,500 | $63,460 | $141,090 | 300 | 0.47 |
| New Mexico | $88,530 | $66,390 | $126,260 | 160 | 1.24 |
| New York | $86,410 | $64,990 | $139,760 | 600 | 0.41 |
| North Carolina | $95,260 | $63,060 | $143,240 | 570 | 0.76 |
| North Dakota | $84,070 | $62,300 | $132,080 | 100 | 1.52 |
| Ohio | $81,220 | $55,990 | $130,690 | 410 | 0.49 |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 | $43,040 | $197,980 | 770 | 2.99 |
| Oregon | $98,110 | $66,490 | $140,400 | 380 | 1.27 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,180 | $61,250 | $129,000 | 910 | 1 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | $80,570 | $143,980 | ||
| South Carolina | $86,070 | $47,550 | $141,480 | 230 | 0.65 |
| South Dakota | $71,150 | $61,290 | $78,560 | 80 | 1.17 |
| Tennessee | $77,870 | $56,230 | $118,110 | 230 | 0.47 |
| Texas | $145,220 | $60,100 | $287,180 | 4,900 | 2.31 |
| Utah | $89,990 | $68,850 | $132,750 | 300 | 1.14 |
| Vermont | $87,070 | $30,800 | $136,200 | ||
| Virginia | $88,390 | $62,990 | $183,040 | 300 | 0.48 |
| Washington | $105,020 | $75,890 | $171,690 | 840 | 1.57 |
| West Virginia | $76,060 | $52,770 | $120,250 | 90 | 0.87 |
| Wisconsin | $78,610 | $58,790 | $132,830 | 110 | 0.25 |
| Wyoming | $74,910 | $55,130 | $116,650 | 220 | 5.13 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 4.9%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Marine Sciences CIP 30.3201
- Earth Systems Science CIP 30.3801
- Environmental Geosciences CIP 30.4101
- Geoarcheaology CIP 30.4201
- Geobiology CIP 30.4301
- Geology/Earth Science, General CIP 40.0601
- Geochemistry CIP 40.0602
- Geophysics and Seismology CIP 40.0603
- Paleontology CIP 40.0604
- Geochemistry and Petrology CIP 40.0606
- Oceanography, Chemical and Physical CIP 40.0607
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other CIP 40.0699
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Locate and review research articles or environmental, historical, or technical reports.
- Communicate geological findings by writing research papers, participating in conferences, or teaching geological science at universities.
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Locate and estimate probable natural gas, oil, or mineral ore deposits or underground water resources, using aerial photographs, charts, or research or survey results.
Technology skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD (in demand)
- ESRI ArcGIS software (in demand)
- Git (in demand)
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Microsoft Word (in demand)
- Python (in demand)
- Geographic information system GIS systems (in demand)
- Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP (hot technology)
- Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- MySQL (hot technology)
Transferable skills for career changers: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation, Operations Analysis, Social Perceptiveness.
Common job titles: Engineering Geologist, Environmental Protection Geologist, Exploration Geologist, Geologist, Geoscientist, Mine Geologist, Petroleum Geologist, Project Geologist, Project Geophysicist, Research Geologist.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make?
The national median annual wage for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers was $101,920 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $59,330 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $200,230. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers to change +5.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Texas ($145,220), Rhode Island ($121,010), Oklahoma ($119,990). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.