SOC 19-2042 · Boulder, CO metro

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Boulder, CO

The average salary for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Boulder, Colorado is $132,060 a year ($63.49 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $107,860: half of the 80 people in this job in the Boulder, CO metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 9% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($121,351).

$132,060average per year

$63.49 / hourMedian $107,860Take-home ≈ $96,427

  • $71K10th
  • $74K25th
  • $108KMedian
  • $158K75th
  • $201K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

80people in this job
+9%vs U.S. metro average
#2 of 5Colorado metros
105cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay range in Boulder

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $201,150 or more. The middle half of geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Boulder earn between $73,620 and $157,900.

  • $71K10th
  • $74K25th
  • $108KMedian
  • $158K75th
  • $201K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$132,060$11,005$63.49
Median$107,860$8,988$51.86
Entry level (25th percentile)$73,620$6,135$35.39
Experienced (75th percentile)$157,900$13,158$75.91

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary after taxes in Boulder

On the average salary of $132,060, a single filer in Boulder takes home about $96,427 a year, or $8,036 a month and $3,709 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.

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Is Boulder a good place for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Boulder area are 5% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.2), so the average $132,060 buys what about $125,530 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Boulder ($69,580). A typical home costs $727,954, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $132,060 is worth in another city

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other Colorado cities

Boulder ranks 2nd of 5 Colorado metro areas for this job; Denver pays the most ($138,380).

All Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in Colorado

Highest-paying cities for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)

Midland, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($192,880).

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by city

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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Boulder: questions

How much do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) make an hour in Boulder?

$63.49 an hour on average, and $51.86 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) salary in Boulder?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $73,620, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) take-home pay in Boulder?

About $96,427 a year ($8,036 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,060. Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.

Do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) earn more in Boulder than elsewhere?

The average here is 9% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($121,351).

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 Boulder, CO (14500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 18.5%.
  • 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 (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.89, this job is 2.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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