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Geophysicist Salary in the United States

How much does a Geophysicist make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Geophysicist in the United States is $106,846 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Geophysicist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,661
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,953 to $115,124
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,947
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Geophysicist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Geophysicist Salaries

A Geophysicist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Geophysicist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Geophysicist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $99,512
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,122
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $142,384
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,299
  • Expert (over 8 years): $193,343
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Geophysicist I less than 1 year $99,512
Geophysicist 1-2 years $105,122
Geophysicist III 2-4 years $142,384
Geophysicist IV 5-8 years $157,299
Geophysicist V over 8 years $193,343

How Do Geophysicist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Geophysicists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $118,300.
  • California: $117,851.
  • Massachusetts: $116,281.

Top Paying Cities for Geophysicist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $134,765
  • San Francisco: $133,289
  • Oakland: $130,480

How Education impacts a Geophysicist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Geophysicist professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Geophysicist with a Bachelor's is between $100,673 and $109,843.

Geophysicist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Geophysicist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 28.6%
High School 33.3%
Associate's Degree 38.1%
Bachelor's Degree 28.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 33.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 38.1%
View as Graph

Geophysicist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Geophysicist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$96,953
Average $106,846/year
$115,124
$8,079
Average $8,904/month
$9,594
$1,864
Average $2,055/week
$2,214
$47
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $115,124 $9,594 $2,214 $55
Average $106,846 $8,904 $2,055 $51
25th Percentile $96,953 $8,079 $1,864 $47

Most common benefits for Geophysicist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Geophysicist

Here are companies hiring for Geophysicist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Geophysicist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Geophysicist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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