How much does a Geologist make?

The national average salary for a Geologist is $81,839 per year in United States. Filter by location to see a Geologist salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 2309 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Geologist employees.

The highest salary for a Geologist in United States is $127,047 per year.

The lowest salary for a Geologist in United States is $52,718 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Geologist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Geologist.

Pay for geologists ranges and can be similar to pay for anthropologists and archeologists at the lower end, or more similar to civil engineers, environmental engineers, hydrologists, and natural science managers at the higher end. Geoscientists and geologists with higher degrees, such as a master's degree in a related field or a doctorate in geoscience or physics can expect to earn higher pay.

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According to anonymous ratings from Glassdoor, 69% of geologists are satisfied with their salary. In addition to salary, geologists can also earn an estimated $17,187.73 in additional pay per year, which could come from benefits, such as bonuses or profit sharing.

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The total pay range for geologists is anywhere from $62,686.89 to $158,500.65. If you follow the typical career path for geologists, you may be able to expect an estimated total pay of $99,027.03 once you've gained some years of experience in the field. After reaching that level of expertise, it's common to take on higher-level positions, such as senior or adjunct geologist.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

There are a few steps you can take in order to boost your earning potential throughout your career as a geologist.

You can enter the geology field with a bachelor's degree and a license as required by the state you're working in, but pursuing a master's degree could help deepen your knowledge and make you more qualified for high-paying positions.

Getting special certifications in your chosen field of geology can also help you stand out. For example, you could become a certified coal geologist, certified petroleum geologist, or certified petroleum geophysicist.

In order to set yourself up for success during salary negotiations, whether you're discussing a raise with a current employer or looking for a new geologist job, it's helpful to look into what others are earning in your area so you have concrete data to back up your expectations.

Next, take stock of your most in-demand skills, like conducting environmental studies and providing reports, planning and supervising field studies, using statistical software, and analyzing data. Be prepared to talk through how you've used those skills throughout your career and how your unique experiences in the field are valuable.