SOC 19-2042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — Arizona
Arizona · 2 metro areas compared
In Arizona the median wage is $85,190.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arizona the median wage is $85,190. That is 16.4% lower than the national median of $101,920. Pay ranges from under $57,450 at the tenth percentile to more than $131,100 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $63,330 to $105,010.
The area has 550 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.13 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Arizona ranks number 31st out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Tucson records the highest median at $90,700. Of the 712 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 149th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,450 | −43.6% |
| 25th | $63,330 | −37.9% |
| Median (50th) | $85,190 | −16.4% |
| 75th | $105,010 | +3.0% |
| 90th | $131,100 | +28.6% |
| Mean | $90,240 | −11.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arizona
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arizona sit close to the national average, so $85,190 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$85,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,598US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,190 a year, 16.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $57,450 to $131,100 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 550 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 31st of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tucson, at $90,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Arizona?
The median annual wage is $85,190, or $40.96 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $101,920, so pay in Arizona is 16.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arizona earns more than $131,100 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $57,450 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Tucson, at $90,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 550 jobs in this occupation in Arizona. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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