SOC 19-2042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — Boulder
Boulder, CO · 4 metro areas compared
At $107,860, median pay for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Boulder, CO tracks the national median of $101,920 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $107,860, median pay for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Boulder, CO tracks the national median of $101,920 closely. Pay ranges from under $71,490 at the tenth percentile to more than $201,150 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $73,620 to $157,900.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.89 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Grand Junction records the highest median at $121,820. Of the 414 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 82nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,490 | −29.9% |
| 25th | $73,620 | −27.8% |
| Median (50th) | $107,860 | +5.8% |
| 75th | $157,900 | +54.9% |
| 90th | $201,150 | +97.4% |
| Mean | $132,060 | +29.6% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Junction | $121,820 | 30 | |
| 2 | Denver | $120,480 | 1,020 | |
| 3 | Fort Collins | $94,300 | — | |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $80,660 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Boulder run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $107,860 buys what $104,617 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$107,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$104,617US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $107,860 a year, 5.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $71,490 to $201,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Junction, at $121,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Boulder, CO?
The median annual wage is $107,860, or $51.86 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 Boulder, CO is 5.8% higher. 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 Boulder, CO earns more than $201,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $71,490 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 Grand Junction, at $121,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Boulder, CO. 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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