SOC 19-2042 · Columbus, OH metro

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Columbus, OH

The average salary for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Columbus, Ohio is $88,180 a year ($42.40 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $84,140: half of the 120 people in this job in the Columbus, OH metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 27% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($121,351).

$88,180average per year

$42.40 / hourMedian $84,140Take-home ≈ $66,670

  • $58K10th
  • $67K25th
  • $84KMedian
  • $104K75th
  • $129K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

120people in this job
-27%vs U.S. metro average
#1 of 4Ohio metros
95cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay range in Columbus

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,140 a year or less, while the top 10% make $129,080 or more. The middle half of geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Columbus earn between $66,730 and $104,230.

  • $58K10th
  • $67K25th
  • $84KMedian
  • $104K75th
  • $129K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$88,180$7,348$42.39
Median$84,140$7,012$40.45
Entry level (25th percentile)$66,730$5,561$32.08
Experienced (75th percentile)$104,230$8,686$50.11

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

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary after taxes in Columbus

On the average salary of $88,180, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $66,670 a year, or $5,556 a month and $2,564 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.

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

Prices in the Columbus area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $88,180 buys what about $92,365 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($51,340). A typical home costs $333,537, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $88,180 is worth in another city

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other Ohio cities

Columbus ranks 1st of 4 Ohio metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in Ohio

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 Columbus: questions

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

$42.40 an hour on average, and $40.45 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,140 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,730, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $66,670 a year ($5,556 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $88,180. Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.

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

The average here is 27% less 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 Columbus, OH (18140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.7%.
  • 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). Includes Columbus's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.75, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.75).

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