Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $108,050 +8.9% vs national
Median hourly $51.95
10th percentile $76,300
90th percentile $162,590
Employed locally 60
National median $99,240

Compare Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary & buying power

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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,300
    25th
    $80,800
    50th (median)
    $108,050
    75th
    $130,770
    90th
    $162,590

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary vs area income 113% Median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary is 13% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $168,280
    Midland, TX $165,830
    Texas $155,330
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $142,150
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $136,250
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $130,580

    Nearby metros — Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $129,880
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $128,710
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $124,270
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $122,450
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $120,550
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $115,240

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $105,750
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $131,170
    Biological Scientists, All Other $111,220
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $100,240
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $92,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Santa Maria, CA is $51.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.17 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries?

    The median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Santa Maria, CA is 8.9% above the national median of $99,240. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (10th percentile) earn around $76,300 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,800.