Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $79,870/year ($38.4/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $81,859 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 32% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $80K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Durham-Chapel Hill’s Regional Price Parity (97.57). 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $131K or more, a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $155K | +57% | 3,620 |
| Rhode Island | $129K | +30% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $128K | +29% | 910 |
| Mississippi | $114K | +15% | 260 |
| California | $111K | +12% | 3,150 |
| Alaska | $106K | +7% | 370 |
| Utah | $104K | +5% | 340 |
| Vermont | $102K | +3% | 30 |
| Hawaii | $101K | +1% | 130 |
| Washington | $100K | +1% | 840 |
| Maryland | $99K | -0% | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $99K | -1% | 210 |
| West Virginia | $96K | -4% | 130 |
| Missouri | $95K | -4% | 180 |
| Oregon | $95K | -4% | 450 |
| Florida | $95K | -4% | 760 |
| Nevada | $95K | -4% | 510 |
| Virginia | $94K | -5% | 310 |
| New Mexico | $94K | -6% | 90 |
| North Dakota | $91K | -9% | N/A |
| Idaho | $90K | -9% | 220 |
| Nebraska | $86K | -14% | 90 |
| Illinois | $85K | -14% | 320 |
| New York | $85K | -14% | 700 |
| Montana | $85K | -15% | 180 |
| Arizona | $84K | -16% | 510 |
| Delaware | $83K | -16% | 60 |
| Michigan | $82K | -18% | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $81K | -19% | 110 |
| Alabama | $80K | -19% | 140 |
| North Carolina | $80K | -20% | 490 |
| Indiana | $79K | -20% | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $79K | -21% | 750 |
| New Jersey | $79K | -21% | 380 |
| Connecticut | $78K | -21% | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $78K | -21% | N/A |
| Maine | $77K | -22% | 60 |
| Kansas | $77K | -22% | 280 |
| Tennessee | $77K | -23% | 270 |
| South Carolina | $77K | -23% | 170 |
| Ohio | $73K | -26% | 400 |
| Iowa | $73K | -26% | 40 |
| Wyoming | $73K | -27% | 280 |
| Minnesota | $72K | -27% | 280 |
| Louisiana | $72K | -27% | 420 |
| South Dakota | $72K | -27% | 70 |
| Kentucky | $69K | -30% | 150 |
| Arkansas | $65K | -34% | 100 |
| Georgia | $63K | -37% | 330 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $79,870 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,990, and experienced geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers can clear $130,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,082/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month, which eats 33.7% 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary is worth about $81,859 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.