Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,780 a year or less, while the top 10% make $171,400 or more. The middle half of geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in San Diego earn between $81,790 and $134,920.
- $67K10th
- $82K25th
- $105KMedian
- $135K75th
- $171K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $112,860 | $9,405 | $54.26 |
| Median | $104,760 | $8,730 | $50.37 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $81,790 | $6,816 | $39.32 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $134,920 | $11,243 | $64.87 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in San Diego earn 4% more than the California average ($108,910) and about the same as the U.S. average ($116,150). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $101,920.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $112,860 | $104,760 | $66,780 | $171,400 | 310 |
| California | $108,910 | $106,500 | $45,540 | $171,270 | 3,350 |
| United States | $116,150 | $101,920 | $59,330 | $200,230 | 23,470 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $112,860, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $81,823 a year, or $6,819 a month and $3,147 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $112,860 buys what about $100,870 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 7th of 12 California metro areas for this job; Santa Cruz pays the most ($142,520).
- Santa Cruz$142,520
- San Jose$141,410
- San Francisco$131,530
- Santa Rosa$119,950
- Sacramento$117,960
- San Luis Obispo$113,470
- San Diego$112,860
- Fresno$111,960
- Redding$108,580
- Oxnard$107,110
All Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)
Midland, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($192,880).
- Midland, TX$192,880
- Houston, TX$179,730
- Lubbock, TX$157,570
- Palm Bay, FL$146,810
- Dallas, TX$146,630
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by city
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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in San Diego: questions
How much do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) make an hour in San Diego?
$54.26 an hour on average, and $50.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,780 a year and the 25th percentile is $81,790, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) take-home pay in San Diego?
About $81,823 a year ($6,819 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $112,860. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($116,150).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2042; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.32, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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