Geoscientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Geoscientists Make?
Geoscientists earn a median annual salary of $99,240 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $58,790 at the 10th percentile to $178,880 at the 90th percentile — a range of $120,090. The highest-paying state is Texas at $155,330.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,790 |
| 25th percentile | $72,440 |
| Median (50th) | $99,240 |
| 75th percentile | $134,350 |
| 90th percentile | $178,880 |
Geoscientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texastop | $155,330 |
| Rhode Island | $128,870 |
| Oklahoma | $128,240 |
| Mississippi | $113,730 |
| California | $111,400 |
| Alaska | $105,910 |
| Utah | $104,000 |
| Vermont | $102,190 |
| Hawaii | $100,690 |
| Colorado | $99,900 |
| Washington | $99,780 |
| Maryland | $99,200 |
| Massachusetts | $98,720 |
| West Virginia | $95,640 |
| Missouri | $95,210 |
| Oregon | $95,120 |
| Florida | $95,110 |
| Nevada | $95,090 |
| Virginia | $94,160 |
| New Mexico | $93,720 |
| North Dakota | $90,770 |
| Idaho | $89,860 |
| Nebraska | $85,500 |
| Illinois | $85,420 |
| New York | $84,910 |
| Montana | $84,630 |
| Arizona | $83,630 |
| Delaware | $82,970 |
| Michigan | $81,800 |
| Wisconsin | $80,610 |
| Alabama | $80,310 |
| North Carolina | $79,710 |
| Indiana | $79,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,890 |
| New Jersey | $78,840 |
| Connecticut | $78,460 |
| New Hampshire | $78,050 |
| Maine | $77,210 |
| Kansas | $76,980 |
| Tennessee | $76,610 |
| South Carolina | $76,600 |
| Ohio | $73,120 |
| Iowa | $73,070 |
| Wyoming | $72,590 |
| Minnesota | $72,490 |
| Louisiana | $72,340 |
| South Dakota | $72,280 |
| Kentucky | $68,990 |
| Arkansas | $65,250 |
| Georgia | $62,850 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Geoscientists
Geoscientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$58,790 – $72,440 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$99,240 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$134,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $178,880+ |
How to Earn More as a Geoscientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Geoscientists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX earn $168,280 — $69,040 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($134,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Geoscientist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Geoscientistthis career | $99,240 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $161,180 |
| Surveyor | $72,740 |
| Geodetic Surveyor | $72,740 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineer | $101,020 |
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SOC: 19-2042.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.