How to Become a Geoscientist in Pennsylvania: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median geoscientist salary in Pennsylvania is $84,180 per year - 17% below the national median of $101,920 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in geology or geoscience (master’s preferred for some research roles).
Geoscientist Salary in Pennsylvania
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania entry level (10th percentile) | $61,250 |
| Pennsylvania 25th-75th percentile | $68,970 - $109,990 |
| Pennsylvania median | $84,180 |
| Pennsylvania top earners (90th percentile) | $129,000 |
| U.S. median | $101,920 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 910.
The Pennsylvania Job Market: Geoscientist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Pennsylvania | 910 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.15 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.00 |
| Mean annual wage in Pennsylvania | $92,830 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.00, Pennsylvania’s demand for geoscientists tracks close to the national average.
Requirements in Pennsylvania
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in geology or geoscience (master’s preferred for some research roles) - while licensing runs through Pennsylvania’s own boards: State PG (Professional Geologist) license for consulting sign-off in many states. Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Geoscientist.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $59,330 |
| 25th | $75,110 |
| 50th (median) | $101,920 |
| 75th | $139,380 |
| 90th | $200,230 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,100 |
| 2034 projected | 26,000 |
| Percent change | +3.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a geoscientist make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Pennsylvania is $84,180 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 17% below the national median of $101,920.
How do I become a geoscientist in Pennsylvania?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in geology or geoscience (master's preferred for some research roles) - with licensing administered at the state level: State PG (Professional Geologist) license for consulting sign-off in many states. See the steps below.
How many geoscientists work in Pennsylvania?
BLS counts about 910 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers employed in Pennsylvania (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Geoscientist in Nearby States
- Geoscientist in Oklahoma
- Geoscientist in Oregon
- Geoscientist in Rhode Island
- Geoscientist in South Carolina
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042), Pennsylvania and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |