As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Senior Geologist in the United States is $85,350. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $75,912 to a high of $117,102, with most professionals earning between $80,410 and $101,970.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $101,970 | $8,498 | $1,961 | $49 |
| Average | $85,350 | $7,113 | $1,641 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,410 | $6,701 | $1,546 | $39 |
An entry-level Senior Geologist with less than 1 year of experience earns about $83,138. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $83,507. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $84,244. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $90,311, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $94,776.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Geologist | $83,138 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Geologist | $83,507 |
| Senior Level Senior Geologist | $84,244 |
| Specialist Level Senior Geologist | $90,311 |
| Expert Level Senior Geologist | $94,776 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 6% |
| Experienced | 11% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Senior Geologist compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $115,354 in 2023 to approximately $106,356 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Senior Geologist salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Senior Geologist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Senior Geologist job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Senior Geologist and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $85,350 | 72.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $6,529 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,011 | 3.4% | ||
| Disability | $683 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 5.1% | ||
| Pension | $4,694 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $10,505 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $117,828 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 42.7% |
| Masters | 48.0% |
| Doctorate | 9.3% |
What Am I Worth?
Geologists are indeed in demand in the USA, with an estimated 26,300 professionals currently in the field. The job market for geologists is projected to grow by 4.9% from 2022 to 2032. Senior geologists can expect salaries ranging from $80,250 to $99,740, with a median salary of $85,360, reflecting the growing need for their expertise.
To maximize your earnings as a geologist, consider these strategies: 1. Upgrade your skills to enhance your value. 2. Network and market yourself effectively. 3. Negotiate your salary, aiming for a range between $80,250 and $99,740. 4. Diversify your income sources. 5. Pursue advanced education for better opportunities. 6. Stay informed about industry trends.
As a senior geologist, your responsibilities include overseeing geological operations and site investigations. You and your team collect samples, locate mineral or natural resource deposits, and assess the geological stability or characteristics of a site. The salary for this role typically ranges from $80,250 to $99,740, with a mid-point of $85,360.
Yes, NASA hires geologists as part of their diverse team, which includes various scientific disciplines. Geologists play a crucial role in NASA's mission, contributing to projects like designing instruments for space exploration. The salary for a Senior Geologist at NASA ranges from $80,250 to $99,740, with a mid-range salary of $85,360.
As of now, Senior Geologists in the United States earn between $80,250 and $99,740 annually, with a median salary of $85,360. This translates to approximately $38.54 to $47.96 per hour, or $1,540 to $1,895 per week. The monthly earnings range from about $6,979 to $8,634.
To become a geologist, you typically need to earn a bachelor's degree in geology or a related field, which takes about three to five years. As a Senior Geologist, you can expect a salary ranging from $80,250 to $99,740, with a median salary of $85,360, reflecting the expertise and experience required in this profession.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
