Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary
The median pay for a geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Waco, TX is $41,310/year ($19.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.55), which stretches that salary to about $44,635 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $973/month, about 32.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $41K get you in Waco?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Waco’s Regional Price Parity (92.55). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
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What this looks like in Waco
Pay for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Waco runs about 23% below the U.S. median of $53K. Rent runs $973/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.55 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in metros near Waco, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $51K | $52K |
| Midland | $30K | $31K |
| Odessa | $32K | $34K |
| Tyler | $40K | $44K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Waco, TX
Entry-level geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K. Top earners bring in $48K or more, a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $102K | +91% | 30 |
| Indiana | $79K | +49% | N/A |
| Alaska | $76K | +43% | 70 |
| Nevada | $74K | +38% | 260 |
| California | $69K | +30% | 480 |
| West Virginia | $69K | +30% | 60 |
| Washington | $64K | +20% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $63K | +18% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $63K | +18% | 90 |
| Tennessee | $63K | +18% | 110 |
| Colorado | $62K | +16% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +16% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $60K | +12% | N/A |
| Virginia | $59K | +11% | N/A |
| Louisiana | $59K | +11% | 160 |
| Michigan | $59K | +10% | 150 |
| New York | $57K | +7% | 280 |
| Montana | $56K | +4% | 100 |
| Oregon | $55K | +3% | 70 |
| Illinois | $53K | -0% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $53K | -0% | 90 |
| Kansas | $52K | -2% | N/A |
| North Dakota | $51K | -4% | 90 |
| Arizona | $50K | -6% | N/A |
| Florida | $50K | -6% | 300 |
| Kentucky | $50K | -7% | 60 |
| Ohio | $49K | -8% | 130 |
| North Carolina | $48K | -10% | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $47K | -11% | 240 |
| Arkansas | $47K | -11% | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $47K | -12% | 410 |
| Texas | $47K | -12% | 2,190 |
| Idaho | $47K | -13% | 70 |
| Alabama | $36K | -33% | N/A |
| Georgia | $35K | -35% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Waco numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geological technicians, except hydrologic technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Waco?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $41K, rent takes 33.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $973/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Waco?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,336/month. At HUD’s $973/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is geological technicians, except hydrologic technician a high-paying job in Waco?
Local pay runs 23% below the national median — $41K here vs. $53K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Waco compare to the national average for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians?
Waco pays $41K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s -23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.55), the purchasing-power equivalent is $45K — below the national median.
How much do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make in Waco, TX?
The median is $41,310 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,930, and experienced geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians can clear $48,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in Waco?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,936/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $973/month, which eats 33.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary go in Waco?
Waco has a Regional Price Parity of 92.55 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary is worth about $44,635 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.