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Best states for a geophysicist
Quoted expert
Peter Harts
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
Do you want to become a geophysicist at BP America, and you wonder what that means or entails? We have the full list of best states for geophysicists that you can check out, before you begin your journey. Turns out, the median salary for the highest 10% of geophysicists in America is $141,000.
The median salary for geophysicists in Texas is $119,741. Compare that to the median salary in Arkansas of $65,541, which ranked worst for geophysicists, and you can see how your location is important for your career.We found that the Midwest is best for geophysicists, and the West is the worst. Midland, TX is the best city in the country for geophysicist jobs, where as Texas is the best state in the country.
10 best states for geophysicists in 2025
1. Texas
Total geophysicist jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $119,741 Lowest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location Quotient: 1.46
2. Alaska
Total geophysicist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $111,569 Lowest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $132,000 Location Quotient: 6.45
3. Louisiana
Total geophysicist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $109,376 Lowest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $153,000 Location Quotient: 1.69
4. Idaho
Total geophysicist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $105,361 Lowest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $138,000 Location Quotient: 1.64
5. West Virginia
Total geophysicist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $97,043 Lowest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $132,000 Location Quotient: 3.53
6. California
Total geophysicist jobs: 24 Average annual salary: $110,864 Lowest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $153,000 Location Quotient: 2.21
7. Oklahoma
Total geophysicist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $109,168 Lowest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $149,000 Location Quotient: 0
8. Virginia
Total geophysicist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $106,375 Lowest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location Quotient: 1.43
9. Kentucky
Total geophysicist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $95,431 Lowest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location Quotient: 1.46
10. Washington
Total geophysicist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $108,293 Lowest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $141,000 Location Quotient: 0.37
Geophysicist jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a geophysicist
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a geophysicist
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $119,741 | $85,000 | 28,304,596 | 11 |
| 2 | Alaska | $111,569 | $94,000 | 739,795 | 2 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $109,376 | $78,000 | 4,684,333 | 2 |
| 4 | Idaho | $105,361 | $80,000 | 1,716,943 | 1 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $97,043 | $71,000 | 1,815,857 | 2 |
| 6 | California | $110,864 | $80,000 | 39,536,653 | 24 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | $109,168 | $79,000 | 3,930,864 | 0 |
| 8 | Virginia | $106,375 | $77,000 | 8,470,020 | 5 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $95,431 | $70,000 | 4,454,189 | 2 |
| 10 | Washington | $108,293 | $82,000 | 7,405,743 | 1 |
| 11 | Tennessee | $92,212 | $67,000 | 6,715,984 | 4 |
| 12 | Maine | $100,813 | $75,000 | 1,335,907 | 0 |
| 13 | Ohio | $97,034 | $71,000 | 11,658,609 | 0 |
| 14 | Montana | $100,213 | $77,000 | 1,050,493 | 0 |
| 15 | Michigan | $94,142 | $69,000 | 9,962,311 | 2 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $96,265 | $74,000 | 869,666 | 0 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $98,031 | $77,000 | 755,393 | 0 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $96,676 | $69,000 | 5,024,369 | 0 |
| 19 | Utah | $94,165 | $70,000 | 3,101,833 | 1 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $88,570 | $65,000 | 1,059,639 | 1 |
| 21 | Colorado | $95,511 | $71,000 | 5,607,154 | 1 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $91,665 | $67,000 | 12,805,537 | 3 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $93,105 | $67,000 | 1,427,538 | 6 |
| 24 | Alabama | $91,497 | $66,000 | 4,874,747 | 1 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $90,398 | $69,000 | 579,315 | 0 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $90,705 | $69,000 | 5,576,606 | 1 |
| 27 | Nevada | $84,357 | $61,000 | 2,998,039 | 8 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $87,894 | $64,000 | 1,342,795 | 0 |
| 29 | Maryland | $86,875 | $63,000 | 6,052,177 | 4 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | $88,299 | $64,000 | 6,859,819 | 0 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $86,894 | $63,000 | 693,972 | 1 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $88,139 | $64,000 | 3,588,184 | 0 |
| 33 | Vermont | $87,178 | $65,000 | 623,657 | 0 |
| 34 | Delaware | $87,347 | $63,000 | 961,939 | 0 |
| 35 | Oregon | $84,413 | $63,000 | 4,142,776 | 2 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $77,540 | $58,000 | 1,920,076 | 5 |
| 37 | Arizona | $81,435 | $58,000 | 7,016,270 | 3 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $85,414 | $62,000 | 9,005,644 | 2 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $82,582 | $59,000 | 2,984,100 | 0 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $78,360 | $56,000 | 2,088,070 | 1 |
| 41 | New York | $85,448 | $62,000 | 19,849,399 | 1 |
| 42 | Iowa | $79,724 | $60,000 | 3,145,711 | 0 |
| 43 | Kansas | $80,175 | $59,000 | 2,913,123 | 0 |
| 44 | Florida | $79,828 | $56,000 | 20,984,400 | 3 |
| 45 | Illinois | $80,866 | $60,000 | 12,802,023 | 0 |
| 46 | Missouri | $77,880 | $57,000 | 6,113,532 | 0 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $67,991 | $51,000 | 5,795,483 | 2 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $67,485 | $49,000 | 10,273,419 | 3 |
| 49 | Indiana | $67,002 | $49,000 | 6,666,818 | 1 |
| 50 | Georgia | $68,434 | $49,000 | 10,429,379 | 0 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $65,541 | $47,000 | 3,004,279 | 0 |
Highest paying states for geophysicists
| Rank | State | Avg. Geophysicist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $119,741 |
| 2 | Alaska | $111,569 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $109,376 |
| 4 | Idaho | $105,361 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $97,043 |
| 6 | California | $110,864 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | $109,168 |
| 8 | Virginia | $106,375 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $95,431 |
| 10 | Washington | $108,293 |
| 11 | Tennessee | $92,212 |
| 12 | Maine | $100,813 |
| 13 | Ohio | $97,034 |
| 14 | Montana | $100,213 |
| 15 | Michigan | $94,142 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $96,265 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $98,031 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $96,676 |
| 19 | Utah | $94,165 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $88,570 |
| 21 | Colorado | $95,511 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $91,665 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $93,105 |
| 24 | Alabama | $91,497 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $90,398 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $90,705 |
| 27 | Nevada | $84,357 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $87,894 |
| 29 | Maryland | $86,875 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | $88,299 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $86,894 |
| 32 | Connecticut | $88,139 |
| 33 | Vermont | $87,178 |
| 34 | Delaware | $87,347 |
| 35 | Oregon | $84,413 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $77,540 |
| 37 | Arizona | $81,435 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $85,414 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $82,582 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $78,360 |
| 41 | New York | $85,448 |
| 42 | Iowa | $79,724 |
| 43 | Kansas | $80,175 |
| 44 | Florida | $79,828 |
| 45 | Illinois | $80,866 |
| 46 | Missouri | $77,880 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $67,991 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $67,485 |
| 49 | Indiana | $67,002 |
| 50 | Georgia | $68,434 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $65,541 |
Expert opinions on the best states for geophysicists
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for geophysicists to find work opportunities?
Peter Harts
Manager of Career Services, GIA
Major metropolitan cities and international trading ports provide an abundance of opportunities in various roles within the gem and jewelry industry. This is why GIA offers comprehensive education in many of the world's top gem trading and jewelry manufacturing centers.
Graduates can find opportunities with national retail chains, independent businesses, and manufacturing in all parts of the world, both rural and metropolitan. Additionally, more than ever before, people are working in places outside of a conventional office or place of business. E-commerce and the design field provide burgeoning opportunities with advances in technology and remote options - allowing employees the freedom to work where they choose.
Geophysicist best states FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025