Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary
The median pay for a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Virginia is $88,390/year ($42.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $183K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $93,248 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 29.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $88K get you in Virginia?
About geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
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What this looks like in Virginia
Pay for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Virginia runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $1,646/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K. Top earners bring in $183K or more, a $120K spread from bottom to top.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by metro in Virginia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $90K | +2% | 40 |
| Richmond | $80K | -9% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $88K, rent takes 29.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,779/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Virginia?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $88K here vs. $102K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers?
Virginia pays $88K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — below the national median.
How much do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Virginia?
The median is $88,390 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,990, and experienced geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers can clear $183,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,500/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 29.9% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $93,248 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.