EN

Occupation · SOC 19-2042

Geoscientists, except Hydrologists and Geographers

There are 23,470 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $101,920 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
23,470
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$101,920
Median pay a year
Middle half: $75,110–$139,380
1,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.1%
293
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+25.2% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 100 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $174,490 · LCA filings 472,380$174,49047
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $120,480 · LCA filings 81,020$120,4808
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $94,660 · LCA filings 21810$94,66021
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $132,780 · LCA filings 5610$132,7805
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $107,800 · LCA filings 3540$107,8003
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $92,930 · LCA filings 22490$92,93022
Oklahoma City, OKMedian pay $119,990 · LCA filings 2490$119,9902
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $119,950 · LCA filings 1490$119,9501
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $94,850 · LCA filings 4450$94,8504
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $122,310 · LCA filings 14430$122,31014

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Midland, TXEmployment 370 · LCA filings 1$219,1403701
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 2,380 · LCA filings 47$174,4902,38047
Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville, FLEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$154,390400
Lubbock, TXEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$140,660400
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 170 · LCA filings 8$136,1201708

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 23 · Employment 2,38047232,380
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 490224490
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 810217810
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 8 · Employment 430148430
Corvallis, OREmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 6014160

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $133,411 · Level III $179,275 · Level IV $225,139$87,547$133,411$179,275$225,139
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $108,992 · Level III $138,091 · Level IV $167,190$79,893$108,992$138,091$167,190
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $75,941 · Level III $100,131 · Level IV $124,322$51,750$75,941$100,131$124,322
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $103,563 · Level III $146,203 · Level IV $188,864$60,902$103,563$146,203$188,864
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $102,045 · Level III $122,158 · Level IV $142,272$81,931$102,045$122,158$142,272
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $89,024 · Level III $112,008 · Level IV $134,992$66,040$89,024$112,008$134,992
Oklahoma City, OKLevel II $92,685 · Level III $119,766 · Level IV $146,848$65,603$92,685$119,766$146,848
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $99,216 · Level III $117,770 · Level IV $136,323$80,662$99,216$117,770$136,323
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $80,038 · Level III $93,642 · Level IV $107,245$66,435$80,038$93,642$107,245
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $108,597 · Level III $131,310 · Level IV $154,003$85,904$108,597$131,310$154,003
Corvallis, ORLevel II $81,765 · Level III $90,896 · Level IV $100,006$72,654$81,765$90,896$100,006

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesCIP 40.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months633STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Earth Systems ScienceCIP 30.38STEM OPT · up to 36 months5STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Environmental GeosciencesCIP 30.41STEM OPT · up to 36 months5STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Geoscientists, except Hydrologists and Geographers in every metro area

All 100 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Science

Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsLife, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherMedical Scientists, except EpidemiologistsBiological TechniciansChemical TechniciansEnvironmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthChemistsEnvironmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology