How much does a geologist make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $8,405 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $6,625
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.9 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $120,300 |
| 2. United States | $100,900 |
| 3. Luxembourg estimate | $98,760 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $432 |
Similar jobs
Professionals
- Astrophysicist$168,200
- Meteorologist$99,070
- Chemist$92,530
- Actuary$97,510
- Zoologist$100,600
- Forestry advisor$72,110
- Environmental protection professionals$80,150
- Industrial engineer$102,400
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Texas | $142,500 |
| Rhode Island | $121,000 |
| Oklahoma | $118,900 |
| Maryland | $116,600 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 |
| Colorado | $111,800 |
| Massachusetts | $109,400 |
| California | $108,700 |
| Alaska | $107,600 |
| Hawaii | $106,300 |
See all 50 states
| Washington | $105,200 |
| Nevada | $101,900 |
| New Hampshire | $101,200 |
| Oregon | $96,160 |
| Illinois | $94,360 |
| Delaware | $93,640 |
| Virginia | $93,530 |
| North Carolina | $92,450 |
| Louisiana | $92,390 |
| New Jersey | $91,970 |
| New Mexico | $91,970 |
| Utah | $90,870 |
| Florida | $89,690 |
| Ohio | $89,500 |
| Missouri | $88,670 |
| Alabama | $88,610 |
| Minnesota | $88,340 |
| Maine | $86,840 |
| New York | $86,770 |
| Vermont | $86,490 |
| Arizona | $85,830 |
| Nebraska | $85,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,310 |
| Idaho | $84,370 |
| North Dakota | $84,070 |
| Michigan | $83,220 |
| Kansas | $80,080 |
| South Carolina | $79,920 |
| Montana | $79,790 |
| Wisconsin | $78,700 |
| Iowa | $78,180 |
| Wyoming | $77,930 |
| Tennessee | $77,870 |
| Georgia | $77,800 |
| Kentucky | $77,510 |
| West Virginia | $76,060 |
| South Dakota | $71,150 |
| Indiana | $70,190 |
| Arkansas | $67,880 |
| Connecticut | $61,810 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Geoscientist | $101,900 |
| Hydrologist | $96,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geologist make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $8,405 a month, $100,900 a year.
How much does a geologist make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $60,270 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $190,800.
Which country pays a geologist the most?
United States, with a median of $100,900 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a geologist the most?
Texas, with a median of $142,500 a year.
Does a geologist make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $100,900 a year against $73,980 in Germany, 1.4 times more.
Who makes more, a geologist or an astrophysicist?
An astrophysicist: $168,200 a year against $100,900 for a geologist, 1.7 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate