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Research geologist salary
Average research geologist salary
$116,391
Research Geologist Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Research Geologist is $116,391 per year, equating to about $56 per hour. Salaries can vary widely depending on geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which one works. For instance, states like California and Texas typically offer higher salaries due to demand and cost of living.
Salary by State
The average salary varies by state. For example:
- California: $130,000
- Texas: $120,000
- Florida: $110,000
Research Geologists with specialized skills or those working in high-demand areas may command even higher salaries. Additionally, the job market is expanding, with opportunities in environmental consultancy, oil and gas exploration, and government agencies.
Job Opportunities
Job seekers can explore various positions, including field research roles and laboratory positions, each offering unique challenges and rewards. Websites like Zippia provide comprehensive job listings tailored for Research Geologists, helping candidates find roles that match their qualifications and career goals.
Let Zippia find your next research geologist job
Let Zippia find your next research geologist job
Where can a Research Geologist earn more?
Research geologist salary estimates from across the web
Average research geologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for research geologists are Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. The lowest average research geologist salary states are Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for research geologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $116,792 | $56.15 |
| 2 | Texas | $139,025 | $66.84 |
| 3 | California | $120,772 | $58.06 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $126,961 | $61.04 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $110,479 | $53.11 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $106,795 | $51.34 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $104,648 | $50.31 |
| 8 | Virginia | $121,127 | $58.23 |
| 9 | Ohio | $109,887 | $52.83 |
| 10 | Michigan | $105,203 | $50.58 |
| 11 | Idaho | $112,935 | $54.30 |
| 12 | Colorado | $109,985 | $52.88 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $104,631 | $50.30 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $101,737 | $48.91 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $109,821 | $52.80 |
| 16 | South Carolina | $110,788 | $53.26 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $102,814 | $49.43 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $101,182 | $48.65 |
| 19 | Montana | $105,319 | $50.63 |
| 20 | Vermont | $100,093 | $48.12 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $99,477 | $47.83 |
| 22 | Washington | $113,294 | $54.47 |
| 23 | Alabama | $104,313 | $50.15 |
| 24 | Nevada | $103,677 | $49.84 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $99,889 | $48.02 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $100,981 | $48.55 |
| 27 | Alaska | $111,682 | $53.69 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $106,501 | $51.20 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $97,789 | $47.01 |
| 30 | Delaware | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| 31 | New Jersey | $97,994 | $47.11 |
| 32 | Massachusetts | $101,471 | $48.78 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $98,712 | $47.46 |
| 34 | Oregon | $90,135 | $43.33 |
| 35 | Utah | $90,892 | $43.70 |
| 36 | Missouri | $89,498 | $43.03 |
| 37 | Illinois | $91,032 | $43.77 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $92,819 | $44.62 |
| 39 | Kansas | $91,817 | $44.14 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $87,127 | $41.89 |
| 41 | Maryland | $98,962 | $47.58 |
| 42 | Arizona | $86,521 | $41.60 |
| 43 | Florida | $88,162 | $42.39 |
| 44 | New York | $98,162 | $47.19 |
| 45 | Iowa | $89,430 | $43.00 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $98,996 | $47.59 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $77,156 | $37.09 |
| 48 | Indiana | $76,106 | $36.59 |
| 49 | Georgia | $78,912 | $37.94 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $75,133 | $36.12 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $75,281 | $36.19 |
Highest paying cities for research geologists
The highest-paying cities for research geologists are Midland, TX, Houston, TX, and San Ramon, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland, TX | $140,033 | $67.32 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $139,311 | $66.98 |
| 3 | San Ramon, CA | $123,482 | $59.37 |
| 4 | Iliamna, AK | $113,447 | $54.54 |
| 5 | Lakewood, CO | $110,008 | $52.89 |
| 6 | Golden, CO | $110,003 | $52.89 |
| 7 | Petersburg, KY | $109,495 | $52.64 |
| 8 | Woods Hole, MA | $101,957 | $49.02 |
| 9 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $88,664 | $42.63 |
| 10 | Flagstaff, AZ | $86,394 | $41.54 |
| 11 | Bloomington, IN | $76,231 | $36.65 |
Research geologist salary details
A research geologist's salary ranges from $81,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $166,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a research geologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $166,000 | $13,833 | $80 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,000 | $11,667 | $67 |
| Average | $116,391 | $9,699 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,000 | $8,000 | $46 |
| 10th Percentile | $81,000 | $6,750 | $39 |
Highest paying research geologist jobs
The highest paying types of research geologists are exploration geologist, consulting geologist, and geologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geology Internship | $109,240 | $9,103 | $52.52 | 48,632 |
| Geophysicist | $105,067 | $8,756 | $50.51 | 287 |
| Geoscientist | $110,629 | $9,219 | $53.19 | 302 |
| Exploration Geologist | $112,376 | $9,365 | $54.03 | 667 |
| Consulting Geologist | $112,160 | $9,347 | $53.92 | 5,484 |
| Development Geologist | $110,970 | $9,247 | $53.35 | 45,844 |
Top companies hiring research geologists now:
Which companies pay research geologists the most?
Research geologist salaries at Exxon Mobil and Chevron are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average research geologist salary at companies like Indiana University Bloomington and Answers in Genesis are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exxon Mobil | $136,687 | $65.71 |
| 2 | Chevron | $136,556 | $65.65 |
| 3 | Indiana University Bloomington | $93,850 | $45.12 |
| 4 | Answers in Genesis | $92,027 | $44.24 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Research geologist salary trends
The average research geologist salary has risen by $11,331 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average research geologist earned $105,060 annually, but today, they earn $116,391 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for research geologists over the last decade.
Compare research geologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average research geologist salary over time
Compare research geologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Research geologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $116,000 | $55.96 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $114,000 | $55.04 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $113,000 | $54.49 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $112,000 | $53.73 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $112,000 | $53.68 | +0.1% |
Recently added research geologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Arkansas University | Research Geologist | Ione, WA | 10/19/2024 | $36,001 |
| Geological Survey | Research Geologist | Fieldbrook, CA | 05/29/2024 | $128,717 |
| Department of The Interior | Research Geologist | Fieldbrook, CA | 05/29/2024 | $128,717 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Geologist I, Python and Hazards Research Support | Golden, CO | 05/21/2024 | $52,175 |
| Department of The Interior | Research Geologist | Portland, OR | 04/10/2024 | $103,728 |
| Department of The Interior | Research Geologist | Spokane, WA | 04/10/2024 | $103,728 |
| Department of The Interior | Research Geologist | Fieldbrook, CA | 04/10/2024 | $103,728 |
| National Museum of Natural History | Research Geologist and/or Biologist (Postdoctoral Fellow) (IS | Washington, DC | 04/05/2024 | $82,764 |
| Geological Survey | Research Geologist | Lakewood, CO | 01/16/2024 | $159,806 |
| Department of The Interior | Research Geologist | Lakewood, CO | 01/16/2024 | $159,806 |
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