How much does a geoscientist make in California?
$106,500a year
Median yearly pay for geoscientists in California. That is $51.20 an hour or $8,875 a month.
- Hourly
- $51.20
- Vs. national median
- +4%
- Rank among states
- 9 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 3,350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,540Median: $106,500Highest 10%: $171,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,540 | $21.89 | |
| 25th | $73,850 | $35.50 | |
| Median | $106,500 | $51.20 | |
| 75th | $138,100 | $66.40 | |
| 90th | $171,300 | $82.34 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $136,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $136,100 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $132,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,300 |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $117,400 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $117,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $111,800 |
| Redding, CA | $111,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $104,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,660 |
| Riverside, CA | $90,270 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for geoscientists.
| 6. Maryland | $110,500 |
| 7. Massachusetts | $108,200 |
| 8. Alaska | $107,400 |
| 9. California | $106,500 |
| 10. Hawaii | $106,300 |
| 11. Washington | $105,000 |
| 12. New Hampshire | $101,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geoscientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $51.20 ($106,500 a year).
Do geoscientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $106,500 against $101,900 nationally, 4% more.
Where does California rank for geoscientist pay?
California ranks 9 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays geoscientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $136,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.