Geologist Salary in the US (2026 Guide)
Updated using 43 verified salary entries collected directly from employers across the United States.
Geologists in the US work across a wide range of industries including environmental consulting, mining, oil and gas, government, and engineering firms. Based on 43 real salary submissions, Geologist hourly wages range from approximately $40.87/hr to $103.61/hr, with significant variation by specialization, seniority, state, and sector.
National Salary Snapshot
- Typical range: $43.00/hr to $82.00/hr
- Top earners (senior/technical director roles): $80 to $103/hr
- Entry to mid-level: $40 to $65/hr
These insights come from real employer-submitted data across environmental consulting, hydrogeology, mining, engineering, and government sectors collected in February 2026.
Salary by State
Pennsylvania (PA) – Average: $81.50/hr
Strong demand from environmental consulting and engineering firms. Professional geologist and tunnel engineering roles command high rates.
Ohio (OH) – Average: $77.75/hr
Environmental and geotechnical consulting firms drive demand. Miamisburg area has active consulting firms including LJB, Inc.
Arizona (AZ) – Average: $69.72/hr
Mining and environmental geology roles. Active demand for hydrogeologists and environmental geologists.
Wisconsin (WI) – Average: $67.31/hr
Hydrogeology and environmental consulting. Madison-area roles for senior hydrogeologists.
California (CA) – Average: $66.01/hr
Broad range of roles from hydrogeology to environmental remediation. Active market in Orange County, Long Beach, Los Angeles area.
Colorado (CO) – Average: $65.30/hr
Mining project management and environmental geology in Denver. Consulting firms like Burns and McDonnell and EA Engineering are active.
South Carolina (SC) – Average: $63.01/hr
Environmental and geological consulting. Senior geologist roles available through major firms.
Florida (FL) – Average: $60.89/hr
Environmental geology and hydrogeology. Growing demand for site investigation and remediation specialists.
Oregon (OR) – Average: $60.24/hr
Environmental consulting and site investigation roles. Portland area is a hub for geotechnical firms.
New Jersey (NJ) – Average: $55.95/hr
Environmental geology and engineering. Dense consulting market in the greater NYC-NJ area.
Nevada (NV) – Average: $56.40/hr
Mining geology in active gold and silver mining regions.
Texas (TX) – Average: $54.52/hr
Hydrogeology and environmental consulting. Austin area has active government and consulting geology roles.
Utah (UT) – Average: $50.48/hr
Mining and environmental geology. Ogden and Salt Lake City area roles.
Massachusetts (MA) – Average: $53.91/hr
Environmental consulting and project scientist roles.
New York (NY) – Average: $52.89/hr
Environmental and geotechnical consulting in Long Island and metro area.
Illinois (IL) – Average: $52.21/hr
Environmental consulting. Oak Brook area roles for geologist/scientist project positions.
Maine (ME) – Average: $50.49/hr
Environmental consulting and hydrogeology roles.
Top-Paying Cities for Geologists
- Rancho Cordova, CA – $100.32/hr avg (highest in dataset)
- Lakewood, CA – $83.80/hr avg
- Worthington, OH – $83.38/hr avg
- Pleasanton, CA – $82.93/hr avg
- Pittsburgh, PA – $81.50/hr avg
- Redmond, WA – $80.80/hr avg
- Miamisburg, OH – $72.12/hr avg
- Sahuarita, AZ – $69.72/hr avg
- Virginiatown, CA – $68.51/hr avg
- Madison, WI – $67.31/hr avg
What Affects Geologist Pay in the US?
1. Specialization
Geologist pay varies significantly by specialty. Highest-paying specializations include hydrogeology, environmental remediation, mining geology, and engineering geology. Technical Director and Principal Geologist roles command the highest rates ($80-$103/hr).
2. Industry Sector
Highest-paying sectors include mining and mineral exploration, oil and gas, major environmental consulting firms (AECOM, WSP, SCS Engineers), and government agencies with technical specialist roles.
3. Seniority and Experience
Staff Geologist and Project Geologist roles typically range from $40-$65/hr, while Senior Geologist and Senior Hydrogeologist roles range from $55-$87/hr. Principal and Technical Director roles command $80-$103/hr.
4. Certifications and Licenses
Professional Geologist (PG) licensure is valued in most states. Certifications in environmental site assessment (ASTM Phase I/II), hazardous waste management, and hydrogeology can significantly increase earning potential.
Job Outlook for Geologists in the US (2026)
Demand for geologists in the US remains strong driven by environmental site assessment and remediation requirements, critical minerals and mining expansion, infrastructure projects requiring geotechnical assessment, water resource management and hydrogeology needs, and climate-related work including flood risk and groundwater studies. Consulting firms continue to actively hire across all levels of experience.
Where This Data Comes From
This report is based on 43 real Geologist salary entries, manually verified and collected directly from employers across the United States. Each entry includes job title, employer name, city/town, state, and hourly wage. Data was collected in February 2026.
Salary Information – US Geologist
| Job Title | Company Name | City/Town | State | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Resource Geologist | Gold Candle Ltd | Virginiatown | CA | $57.69-$79.33/hr |
| Mining Project Manager – Engineer or Geologist | EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC | Denver | CO | $67.31-$81.73/hr |
| Hydrogeologist Sr. | Travis County | Austin | TX | $43.27-$52.88/hr |
| Senior Hydrogeologist | Water Replenishment District | Lakewood | CA | $67.99-$99.60/hr |
| Senior Engineering Geologist | AECOM | Orange | CA | $48.08-$76.92/hr |
| Geology Supervisor – Remediation | AECOM | Orange | CA | $48.08-$69.71/hr |
| Engineering Geologist | AECOM | Bloomfield | NJ | $60.10-$74.52/hr |
| Geologist | AECOM | Long Island | NY | $45.67-$60.10/hr |
| Senior Geologist | AECOM | Orange | CA | $62.50-$76.92/hr |
| Staff Geologist – Environmental Remediation (Denver) | Burns and McDonnell | Denver | CO | $43.27-$67.31/hr |
| Lead Geologist – Site Investigation and Remediation | WSP | Portland | OR | $52.21-$68.27/hr |
| Technical Director – Hydrogeologist | WSP | Redmond | WA | $57.98-$103.61/hr |
| Senior Associate Geologist or Scientist | Stantec | Walnut Creek | CA | $50.14-$75.24/hr |
| Geologist | Stantec | Sahuarita | AZ | $56.25-$83.17/hr |
| Senior Geologist | Stantec | San Diego | CA | $57.98-$86.54/hr |
| Geologist/Hydrogeologist | Stantec | Troy | NY | $45.67-$60.10/hr |
| Senior Hydrogeologist | Stantec | San Francisco | CA | $57.98-$86.54/hr |
| Project Geologist – Environmental | GHD | Pittsburgh | PA | $62.50-$100.48/hr |
| Senior Geologist | GHD | Pleasanton | CA | $69.71-$96.15/hr |
| Geologist | GHD | Rancho Cordova | CA | $67.31-$133.33/hr |
| Senior Geologist | Geosyntec Consultants | Miamisburg | OH | $72.12-$72.12/hr |
| Hydrogeologist/Geoscientist/Geostatistician | Woodard and Curran | Portland | ME | $40.87-$60.10/hr |
| Professional Geologist / Tunnel Engineer | LJB, Inc. | Miamisburg | OH | $62.50-$81.73/hr |
| Project Environmental Scientist, Engineer or Geologist | Ninyo and Moore | Irvine | CA | $48.08-$57.69/hr |
| Project Environmental Engineer or Geologist | Ninyo and Moore | West Sacramento | CA | $50.48-$69.71/hr |
| Senior Hydrogeologist | SCS Engineers | Madison | WI | $48.08-$86.54/hr |
| Senior Geologist or Engineer | SCS Engineers | Long Beach | CA | $48.32-$90.97/hr |
| Senior Hydrogeologist | SCS Engineers | Bellevue | WA | $43.27-$74.52/hr |
| Project Geologist / Scientist | Roux Associates, Inc. | Burlington | MA | $40.87-$45.67/hr |
| Senior Geologist / Scientist I | Roux Associates, Inc. | Oak Brook | IL | $44.23-$60.10/hr |
| Senior Geologist | CMT Technical Services | Ogden | UT | $45.67-$55.29/hr |
| Project Geologist | Terraphase Engineering Inc | Princeton | NJ | $40.87-$50.48/hr |
| Principal Geologist | Terraphase Engineering Inc | Pleasanton | CA | $69.71-$96.15/hr |
| Senior Geologist | Terraphase Engineering Inc | Irvine | CA | $45.67-$56.73/hr |
| Project Geologist | GHD | Worthington | OH | $62.50-$104.33/hr |
| Senior Engineering Geologist | Ninyo and Moore | San Diego | CA | $52.88-$76.92/hr |
| Geologist | Freeport-McMoRan | Sahuarita | AZ | $56.25-$83.17/hr |
| Senior Geologist | Kleinfelder | San Diego | CA | $57.69-$86.54/hr |
| Geologist | Kleinfelder | San Diego | CA | $43.27-$64.90/hr |
| Associate Geologist | Kleinfelder | San Diego | CA | $38.46-$57.69/hr |
| Senior Geologist | Terracon Consultants Inc | SC | SC | $57.69-$68.27/hr |
| Geologist | Terracon Consultants Inc | SC | SC | $45.67-$57.69/hr |
| Senior Hydrogeologist | Haley and Aldrich | Pittsburgh | PA | $62.02-$90.14/hr |
FAQs
What is the average Geologist salary in the US?
Based on our 2026 data, Geologists in the US typically earn between $40.87/hr and $103.61/hr depending on specialization, seniority, and location. Senior and principal roles command the highest rates.
Which states pay the most for Geologists?
Pennsylvania and Ohio lead for environmental consulting roles, while California has strong demand across hydrogeology, environmental remediation, and mining geology.
What types of geologists earn the most?
Technical Directors, Principal Geologists, and Senior Hydrogeologists with specialized experience in environmental remediation, mining, or major infrastructure projects typically earn the most.
What certifications help Geologists earn more?
A Professional Geologist (PG) license, HAZWOPER certification, and specializations in hydrogeology or environmental site assessment (Phase I/II) can significantly increase earning potential.
Where does this Geologist salary data come from?
This report uses 43 real salary entries submitted by employers across the United States. Each entry is verified and includes job title, employer, location, state, and hourly wage. Data collected February 2026.
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