Science & Research San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Geologist Salary in San Diego, California

The median geologist salary in San Diego, CA is $118,826 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$118,826
vs State Avg
+$3,348
vs National
+$35,146
Cost of Living
142%

Geologist Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level geologist earns around $76,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,680
+$22,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,700
+$35,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,800
+$58,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $72,420
25th Percentile $89,460
Median (50th) $118,826
75th Percentile $159,040
90th Percentile $210,160

Geologist Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$152,298
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$140,582
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$122,173
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$98,742
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Geologist in San Diego

Education

Most geologist positions require a bachelor's degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Field GeologyGISRock AnalysisStratigraphyEnvironmental AssessmentTechnical Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, geologist employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Geologist Jobs in San Diego

Browse open geologist positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Geologist Salary in San Diego

How much does a Geologist make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median geologist salary in San Diego, California is $118,826 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median of $83,680. Salaries range from $72,420 (10th percentile) to $210,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Geologist make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,826, a geologist in San Diego earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for geologist pay? ▼
San Diego's median geologist salary of $118,826 is 2.9% above the California state average of $115,478. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a geologist salary of $118,826 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a geologist in San Diego? ▼
Most geologist positions in San Diego require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Field Geology, GIS, Rock Analysis, Stratigraphy. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.