Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn a median $101,920 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers do
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth’s internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.1% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,800
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,592
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,319
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,478
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$80,531
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,330 | $28.52 | $49,852 |
| 25th percentile | $75,110 | $36.11 | $61,670 |
| Median (50th) | $101,920 | $49.00 | $80,531 |
| 75th percentile | $139,380 | $67.01 | $106,532 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,230 | $96.26 | $149,096 |
Best cities for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $174,490 | $130,530 | $132,344 | 2,380 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $174,490
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 | −6.5% | $110,524 | $60,100 – $239,200+ | 4,900 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | −6.1% | $89,814 | $80,570 – $143,980 | — |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 | −6.4% | $88,389 | $43,040 – $197,980 | 770 |
| Colorado | $114,410 | +14.5% | $84,992 | $70,410 – $210,090 | 1,480 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | −1.2% | $84,139 | $70,970 – $161,890 | 250 |
| Maryland | $110,510 | +11.4% | $81,678 | $63,250 – $185,220 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 | +9.6% | $79,765 | $80,370 – $227,230 | 420 |
| Alaska | $107,410 | +1.4% | $84,393 | $66,330 – $176,940 | 430 |
| California | $106,500 | −4.4% | $76,693 | $45,540 – $171,270 | 3,350 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 | +5.5% | $77,045 | $83,050 – $137,720 | 110 |
| Washington | $105,020 | +5.3% | $82,712 | $75,890 – $171,690 | 840 |
| New Hampshire | $101,150 | +29.6% | $79,989 | $63,290 – $157,850 | — |
| Nevada | $99,890 | +5.0% | $79,103 | $71,240 – $154,960 | 520 |
| Oregon | $98,110 | +3.1% | $70,095 | $66,490 – $140,400 | 380 |
| Illinois | $96,950 | +13.5% | $72,380 | $65,290 – $177,670 | 410 |
| North Carolina | $95,260 | +19.5% | $72,553 | $63,060 – $143,240 | 570 |
| Florida | $95,140 | +0.0% | $75,761 | $55,440 – $164,070 | 660 |
| Delaware | $93,640 | +12.9% | $69,867 | $66,710 – $108,840 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $91,560 | +26.6% | $70,882 | $51,990 – $158,660 | 440 |
| Idaho | $91,170 | +1.5% | $69,244 | $67,200 – $174,800 | 130 |
| Utah | $89,990 | −13.5% | $69,054 | $68,850 – $132,750 | 300 |
| Alabama | $88,610 | +10.3% | $67,002 | $49,110 – $136,990 | 110 |
| New Mexico | $88,530 | −5.5% | $68,104 | $66,390 – $126,260 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $88,500 | +12.3% | $67,642 | $63,460 – $141,090 | 300 |
| Virginia | $88,390 | −6.1% | $66,744 | $62,990 – $183,040 | 300 |
| Vermont | $87,070 | −14.8% | $66,797 | $30,800 – $136,200 | — |
| Maine | $86,840 | +12.5% | $65,209 | $73,380 – $131,530 | 70 |
| New York | $86,410 | +1.8% | $65,550 | $64,990 – $139,760 | 600 |
| South Carolina | $86,070 | +12.4% | $65,373 | $47,550 – $141,480 | 230 |
| Nebraska | $85,550 | +0.1% | $66,001 | $59,990 – $117,120 | 110 |
| Arizona | $85,190 | +1.9% | $66,840 | $57,450 – $131,100 | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,180 | +6.7% | $65,466 | $61,250 – $129,000 | 910 |
| North Dakota | $84,070 | −7.4% | $67,593 | $62,300 – $132,080 | 100 |
| Missouri | $83,390 | −12.4% | $64,513 | $57,260 – $130,320 | 260 |
| Ohio | $81,220 | +11.1% | $64,517 | $55,990 – $130,690 | 410 |
| Michigan | $80,990 | −1.0% | $62,615 | $62,160 – $119,960 | 320 |
| Minnesota | $80,540 | +11.1% | $61,537 | $52,710 – $157,300 | 240 |
| Kansas | $80,080 | +4.0% | $61,498 | $56,680 – $136,390 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $78,610 | −2.5% | $61,346 | $58,790 – $132,830 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $77,870 | +1.6% | $63,612 | $56,230 – $118,110 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $77,510 | +12.3% | $60,763 | $44,130 – $115,920 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $76,060 | −20.5% | $59,607 | $52,770 – $120,250 | 90 |
| Montana | $75,520 | −10.8% | $59,052 | $54,450 – $121,100 | 210 |
| Wyoming | $74,910 | +3.2% | $61,529 | $55,130 – $116,650 | 220 |
| Iowa | $74,460 | +1.9% | $59,035 | $61,730 – $95,540 | 40 |
| Georgia | $73,920 | +17.6% | $57,619 | $58,500 – $123,550 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $71,150 | −1.6% | $58,884 | $61,290 – $78,560 | 80 |
| Indiana | $68,240 | −13.9% | $54,853 | $45,620 – $127,100 | 270 |
| Arkansas | $67,880 | +4.0% | $54,149 | $49,700 – $125,780 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $61,810 | −21.2% | $49,988 | $60,620 – $83,440 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrologist | $96,600 | Bachelor's degree | +1.5% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $99,070 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% |
| Chemist | $91,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Materials Scientist | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | Bachelor's degree | +2.1% |
| Astronomer | $128,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.8% |
| Physicist | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make?
The national median salary for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers is $101,920 a year ($49.00 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $59,330 and the top 10% earn over $200,230. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers the most?
Texas has the highest median pay at $145,220. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers are there in the U.S.?
About 23,470 people work as geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers nationwide.