Geologist Salary Overview
The Geologist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $86,000. Compensation typically ranges from $48,600 for entry-level positions to $148,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Geologist in the US earns between $48,600 and $148,600 per year, with a median of $86,000.
Geologist Salary by Experience
Entry-level geologists earn around $55,900, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $116,100 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $57,620 | $28/hr | $46,588 |
| Mid | $86,000 | $41/hr | $64,751 |
| Senior | $110,080 | $53/hr | $79,452 |
| Lead | $126,420 | $61/hr | $89,266 |
Geologist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Geologist in each US state.
Pay for geologists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,135 | $6,579 | $64,752 | 24.7% |
| Alaska | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| Arizona | $86,000 | $10,534 | $1,785 | $6,579 | $67,102 | 22.0% |
| Arkansas | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,558 | $6,579 | $65,329 | 24.0% |
| California | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,136 | $6,579 | $64,751 | 24.7% |
| Colorado | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,124 | $6,579 | $65,763 | 23.5% |
| Connecticut | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,980 | $6,579 | $64,907 | 24.5% |
| Delaware | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,445 | $6,579 | $64,442 | 25.1% |
| District of Columbia | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,469 | $6,579 | $64,418 | 25.1% |
| Florida | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| Georgia | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,063 | $6,579 | $64,824 | 24.6% |
| Hawaii | $86,000 | $10,534 | $6,167 | $6,579 | $62,720 | 27.1% |
| Idaho | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,141 | $6,579 | $64,746 | 24.7% |
| Illinois | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,120 | $6,579 | $64,767 | 24.7% |
| Indiana | $86,000 | $10,534 | $2,623 | $6,579 | $66,264 | 22.9% |
| Iowa | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,268 | $6,579 | $65,619 | 23.7% |
| Kansas | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,245 | $6,579 | $64,642 | 24.8% |
| Kentucky | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,314 | $6,579 | $65,573 | 23.8% |
| Louisiana | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,074 | $6,579 | $65,813 | 23.5% |
| Maine | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,611 | $6,579 | $64,276 | 25.3% |
| Maryland | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,911 | $6,579 | $64,976 | 24.4% |
| Massachusetts | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,080 | $6,579 | $64,807 | 24.6% |
| Michigan | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,417 | $6,579 | $65,470 | 23.9% |
| Minnesota | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,397 | $6,579 | $64,490 | 25.0% |
| Mississippi | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,464 | $6,579 | $65,423 | 23.9% |
| Missouri | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,257 | $6,579 | $65,630 | 23.7% |
| Montana | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,967 | $6,579 | $64,920 | 24.5% |
| Nebraska | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,502 | $6,579 | $65,385 | 24.0% |
| Nevada | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| New Hampshire | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| New Jersey | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,352 | $6,579 | $65,535 | 23.8% |
| New Mexico | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,219 | $6,579 | $65,668 | 23.6% |
| New York | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,349 | $6,579 | $64,538 | 25.0% |
| North Carolina | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,296 | $6,579 | $65,591 | 23.7% |
| North Dakota | $86,000 | $10,534 | $1,392 | $6,579 | $67,495 | 21.5% |
| Ohio | $86,000 | $10,534 | $1,646 | $6,579 | $67,241 | 21.8% |
| Oklahoma | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,595 | $6,579 | $65,292 | 24.1% |
| Oregon | $86,000 | $10,534 | $7,000 | $6,579 | $61,887 | 28.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $86,000 | $10,534 | $2,640 | $6,579 | $66,247 | 23.0% |
| Rhode Island | $86,000 | $10,534 | $2,849 | $6,579 | $66,038 | 23.2% |
| South Carolina | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,877 | $6,579 | $65,010 | 24.4% |
| South Dakota | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| Tennessee | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| Texas | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| Utah | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,999 | $6,579 | $64,888 | 24.5% |
| Vermont | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,735 | $6,579 | $65,152 | 24.2% |
| Virginia | $86,000 | $10,534 | $4,429 | $6,579 | $64,458 | 25.0% |
| Washington | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
| West Virginia | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,515 | $6,579 | $65,372 | 24.0% |
| Wisconsin | $86,000 | $10,534 | $3,470 | $6,579 | $65,417 | 23.9% |
| Wyoming | $86,000 | $10,534 | $0 | $6,579 | $68,887 | 19.9% |
Top Cities for Geologist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for geologists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $94,600 |
| Anchorage, AK | $94,600 |
| Denver, CO | $94,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $94,600 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $94,600 |
Calculate Geologist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Geologist
Becoming a geologist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Geologist Career Outlook
Employment of geologists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Geologist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for geologists in the US is $86,000, with a typical range from $48,600 to $148,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for geologists include TX, AK, CO. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level geologists can expect to earn around $55,900 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a geologist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for geologists is approximately $41.35, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.