Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary
The median pay for a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Colorado is $114,410/year ($55/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.71), that's roughly $110,317 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,832/month, or 24.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $114K actually covers in Colorado, month by month
About geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
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What this looks like in Colorado
Colorado sits well above the national pay line for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $1,832/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.71) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $114K. Top earners bring in $210K or more, a $140K spread from bottom to top.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by metro in Colorado
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $122K | +6% | 30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $120K | +5% | 1,020 |
| Boulder | $108K | -6% | 80 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $94K | -18% | N/A |
| Colorado Springs | $81K | -29% | 110 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
Yes — at the median salary of $114K, rent takes 26.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,832/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,569/month. At HUD’s $1,832/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographer a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $114K here vs. $102K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers?
Colorado pays $114K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.71), the purchasing-power equivalent is $110K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Colorado?
The median is $114,410 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,410, and experienced geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers can clear $210,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $114K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,987/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,832/month, which eats 26.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 103.71 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary is worth about $110,317 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers 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.