Geologist Salary in 2026
Geologists study the composition, structure, and processes of the Earth. They work in resource extraction, environmental protection, and hazard assessment for engineering projects.
Median Salary
$101,920
$8,493/mo
Entry Level
$63,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$140,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042) at a national median of $101,920 per year (mean $116,150), or $49.00 per hour, with 23,470 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Geologist Overview
Geologists study the composition, structure, and processes of the Earth. They work in resource extraction, environmental protection, and hazard assessment for engineering projects.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Science
Total Jobs (US)
23K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Science
Hourly Rate
$49.00/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,493
Reviewed May 18, 2026
2026 Geologist Salary Market Notes
Market context
Geologist pay is tied closely to energy, mining, environmental consulting, infrastructure, and public-sector resource work. The same degree can price very differently depending on whether the role is field-heavy, lab-heavy, regulatory, or tied to oil and gas exploration.
What drives higher pay
The strongest salary drivers are GIS and subsurface mapping skill, field-program leadership, professional geologist licensing, environmental remediation experience, and the ability to write client-ready technical reports.
Location note
Houston, Denver, Anchorage, and New Orleans can pay more because they concentrate energy, resource, and environmental consulting employers. California roles often pay more on paper, but cost of living can absorb part of the premium.
Career move
A practical salary move is to pair field geology with GIS, environmental compliance, or hydrogeology. That keeps the role useful across both private-sector projects and government-funded infrastructure work.
Use BLS OEWS as the wage baseline, then compare against current consulting, energy, and environmental job postings because job title definitions vary by employer.
Geologist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Geologist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Geologist Salary
$114,000
$9,500/month · $4,385/biweekly · $54.81/hr
Geologist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Geologist field.
Entry-level Geologists earn around $63,900, while the top 10% earn $156,550 or more.
Top Paying States for Geologists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $120,000 | +$18,080 |
| Alaska | $110,000 | +$8,080 |
| Colorado | $107,000 | +$5,080 |
| Texas | $100,000 | $-1,920 |
| Louisiana | $94,000 | $-7,920 |
Top Paying Cities for Geologists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| DenverBLS metro | $120,480 | +$18,560 |
| Los Angeles | $114,000 | +$12,080 |
| Anchorage | $110,000 | +$8,080 |
| Houston | $101,000 | $-920 |
| New Orleans | $97,000 | $-4,920 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (1 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Geologist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Geologist.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Geologist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Geologist from entry level to expert.
$63,900
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$140,000
8-14 years
$173,100
15+ years
Related Science Jobs
Geologist Salary FAQ
How much does a Geologist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Geologist in the United States is $101,920 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042); the mean is $116,150. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $63,900, senior professionals around $140,000, and top earners at $173,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Geologist?
A Geologist typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include GIS, Rock Analysis, Subsurface Mapping. Relevant certifications such as PG License or ASBOG Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Geologists?
The job market for Geologists is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 23K Geologist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Geologists the most?
The highest-paying states for Geologists include Texas, Colorado, California. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $100,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Geologist salary?
To increase your Geologist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like GIS and Rock Analysis. Pursue certifications such as PG License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Houston. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $63,900 to $140,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Geologist Salary
How we calculate Geologist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $101,920, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers; BLS mean $116,150; BLS hourly median $49.00.
- Entry-level ($63,900) and senior-level ($140,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 23,470 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Science sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $101,920; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Geologist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Geologist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Science
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Geologist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (GIS, Rock Analysis, Subsurface Mapping), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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