Geoscientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,540
- 25th Percentile — Junior$73,850
- 50th Percentile — Median$106,500
- 75th Percentile — Senior$138,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$171,270
Half of Geoscientists in California earn more than $106,500. The top 10% make $171,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,540.
Geoscientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 11th of 50 states for Geoscientists pay, at $108,910 per year (6.2% below the U.S. average of $116,150).
- 3,350 people work as Geoscientists in California — 14.3% of all U.S. Geoscientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.22: Geoscientists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,540; the top 10% earn over $171,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $52.36 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Texas at $160,070.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Geoscientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Geoscientists here earn $108,910 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $108,910 is roughly equivalent to $76,697 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($117,140), Mississippi ($115,470), Maryland ($114,240) are the closest alternatives for Geoscientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +85.4% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +74.0% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +36.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +28.7% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +22.7% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +16.9% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +13.0% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +12.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Geoscientists salary in California?
The average Geoscientists salary in California is $108,910 per year (median $106,500), which is 6.2% below the national average of $116,150.
How does California rank for Geoscientists pay?
California ranks 11th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Texas ($160,070/yr).
How much do entry-level Geoscientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Geoscientists in California earn about $45,540 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,850.
How much do Geoscientists make per hour in California?
About $52.36 per hour, based on the $108,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Geoscientists work in California?
BLS counts 3,350 Geoscientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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