How much does a geoscientist make?
The median geoscientist in the United States earns $99,240 per year, about $47.71 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all geoscientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-2042.
Geoscientist salary range
Pay for geoscientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,790 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $178,880. The average (mean) wage of $111,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,790 | $28.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $72,440 | $34.83 | |
| Median (50th) | $99,240 | $47.71 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $134,350 | $64.59 | |
| 90th percentile | $178,880 | $86.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (SOC 19-2042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Geoscientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Geoscientists earn the most in Texas at $155,330 a year, and the least in Georgia at $62,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $155,330 | 3,620 |
| Rhode Island | $128,870 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $128,240 | 910 |
| Mississippi | $113,730 | 260 |
| California | $111,400 | 3,150 |
| Alaska | $105,910 | 370 |
| Utah | $104,000 | 340 |
| Vermont | $102,190 | 30 |
| Hawaii | $100,690 | 130 |
| Colorado | $99,900 | 1,420 |
| Washington | $99,780 | 840 |
| Maryland | $99,200 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $98,720 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $95,640 | 130 |
| Missouri | $95,210 | 180 |
| Oregon | $95,120 | 450 |
| Florida | $95,110 | 760 |
| Nevada | $95,090 | 510 |
| Virginia | $94,160 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $93,720 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $90,770 | N/A |
| Idaho | $89,860 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $85,500 | 90 |
| Illinois | $85,420 | 320 |
| New York | $84,910 | 700 |
| Montana | $84,630 | 180 |
| Arizona | $83,630 | 510 |
| Delaware | $82,970 | 60 |
| Michigan | $81,800 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $80,610 | 110 |
| Alabama | $80,310 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $79,710 | 490 |
| Indiana | $79,290 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,890 | 750 |
| New Jersey | $78,840 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $78,460 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $78,050 | N/A |
| Maine | $77,210 | 60 |
| Kansas | $76,980 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $76,610 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $76,600 | 170 |
| Ohio | $73,120 | 400 |
| Iowa | $73,070 | 40 |
| Wyoming | $72,590 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $72,490 | 280 |
| Louisiana | $72,340 | 420 |
| South Dakota | $72,280 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $68,990 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $65,250 | 100 |
| Georgia | $62,850 | 330 |
State median wages for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (SOC 19-2042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for geoscientists
The BLS projects employment of geoscientists to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 25,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year for geoscientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a geoscientist
The typical entry-level education for geoscientists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a geoscientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Texas, $155,330) and the lowest (Georgia, $62,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,510 people work as geoscientists in the United States. At $99,240 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Geoscientist salary FAQ
How much does a geoscientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a geoscientist is $47.71. The middle half of geoscientists earn between $34.83 and $64.59 per hour.
What is the highest geoscientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of geoscientists earn more than $178,880 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a geoscientist make a year?
The median annual salary for a geoscientist is $99,240. The average (mean) wage of $111,310 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a geoscientist a well paid job?
At $99,240 a year, a geoscientist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,510 people work as geoscientists in the United States.
Which state pays geoscientists the most?
Texas has the highest median salary for geoscientists at $155,330 a year. Rhode Island ($128,870) and Oklahoma ($128,240) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a geoscientist a good career?
Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a geoscientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for geoscientists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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