Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$101,920
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$49.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$200,230
entry level starts ~$59,330
Pay Grade
A
excellent pay · 23,000 employed

How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make?

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn a median annual salary of $101,920 in the United States, which works out to roughly $49.00 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $59,330 at the entry level and $200,230 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $75,110 and $139,380 a year.

That is $40,530 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary range by percentile

Half of all Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn between $75,110 and $139,380 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,330$28.52
25th percentile (early career)$75,110$36.11
50th percentile (median)$101,920$49.00
75th percentile (experienced)$139,380$67.01
90th percentile (top earners)$200,230$96.26

Highest-paying states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Texas leads the country for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay at $145,220 a year, followed by Rhode Island ($121,010) and Oklahoma ($119,990). At the other end, Connecticut posts the lowest median at $61,810 — a gap of $83,410 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Texas$145,220$69.82+42%
2Rhode Island$121,010$58.18+19%
3Oklahoma$119,990$57.69+18%
4Colorado$114,410$55.00+12%
5Mississippi$112,400$54.04+10%

Workforce and education

About 23,000 people work as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $116,150 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make in the United States?
The median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in the United States is $101,920 per year, or about $49.00 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,330, while the top 10% of earners make $200,230 or more.
How does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of A (excellent pay), the Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers median of $101,920 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers the most?
Texas is the highest-paying state for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, with a median salary of $145,220 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers need?
For most positions, a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers work in the United States?
About 23,000 people were employed as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.