SOC 19-2042 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Seattle, WA

The average salary for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Seattle, Washington is $122,350 a year ($58.82 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $107,800: half of the 540 people in this job in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($116,150).

$122,350average per year

$58.82 / hourMedian $107,800Take-home ≈ $94,892

  • $81K10th
  • $87K25th
  • $108KMedian
  • $138K75th
  • $176K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

540people in this job
+5%vs U.S. average
#1 of 3Washington metros
111cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay range in Seattle

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,510 a year or less, while the top 10% make $176,360 or more. The middle half of geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Seattle earn between $86,740 and $138,170.

  • $81K10th
  • $87K25th
  • $108KMedian
  • $138K75th
  • $176K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$122,350$10,196$58.82
Median$107,800$8,983$51.83
Entry level (25th percentile)$86,740$7,228$41.70
Experienced (75th percentile)$138,170$11,514$66.43

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

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay in Seattle vs. Washington and the U.S.

Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Seattle earn 4% more than the Washington average ($117,140) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($116,150). At the median the gap is +6% against the U.S. median of $101,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Seattle$122,350$107,800$80,510$176,360540
Washington$117,140$105,020$75,890$171,690840
United States$116,150$101,920$59,330$200,23023,470

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 Seattle

On the average salary of $122,350, a single filer in Seattle takes home about $94,892 a year, or $7,908 a month and $3,650 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Washington paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

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

Prices in the Seattle area are 11% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.1), so the average $122,350 buys what about $110,093 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Seattle ($72,610). A typical home costs $750,279, or 6.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $122,350 is worth in another city

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other Washington cities

Seattle ranks 1st of 3 Washington metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in Washington

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

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Seattle, WA.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Seattle: questions

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

$58.82 an hour on average, and $51.83 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,510 a year and the 25th percentile is $86,740, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $94,892 a year ($7,908 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $122,350. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

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

The average here is 5% more than 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (42660). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
  • 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 no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.73, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.