Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $99,560 a year ($47.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,540 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $101,920. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $95,260. There are 0.17 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| 25th percentile | $76,460 | $36.76 |
| Median | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| 75th percentile | $138,010 | $66.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,540 | $71.41 |
| Average (mean) | $106,630 | $51.27 |
Half of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,296.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,148.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,829.23 |
| Weekly | $1,914.62 |
| Hourly | $47.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $102,990 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $99,160 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $89,770 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,220 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $86,420 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 |
| Colorado | $114,410 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 |
| Maryland | $110,510 |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 |
| Alaska | $107,410 |
| California | $106,500 |
| Hawaii | $106,270 |
See Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| Materials Scientist | $123,070 | $59.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $93,420 | $44.91 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $87,650 | $42.14 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $99,560 a year, or $47.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $148,540 a year. The top 25% earn $138,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,390 a year, and a quarter of geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers earn $76,460 or less.
How many geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 60 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.