How Much Does a Paleontologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$101,920
Paleontologists in the U.S. earn a median of $101,920 a year, or $49.00 an hour. Half of paleontologists earn more than $101,920 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $200,230.
Pay percentiles for paleontologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28.52 | $59,330 |
| 25th | $36.11 | $75,110 |
| 50th (median) | $49.00 | $101,920 |
| 75th | $67.01 | $139,380 |
| 90th | $96.26 | $200,230 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for paleontologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $145,220 | $69.82 | +42% |
| Rhode Island | $121,010 | $58.18 | +19% |
| Oklahoma | $119,990 | $57.69 | +18% |
| Colorado | $114,410 | $55.00 | +12% |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | $54.04 | +10% |
| Maryland | $110,510 | $53.13 | +8% |
| Massachusetts | $108,210 | $52.03 | +6% |
| Alaska | $107,410 | $51.64 | +5% |
| California | $106,500 | $51.20 | +4% |
| Hawaii | $106,270 | $51.09 | +4% |
| United States | $101,920 | $49.00 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many paleontologists are there?
BLS counts about 23,470 paleontologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers”. The most jobs are in Texas (4,900), California (3,350) and Colorado (1,480).
The mean (average) annual wage is $116,150, higher than the median of $101,920.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,493
- Biweekly
- $3,920
- Weekly
- $1,960
- Daily (8 hours)
- $392
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do paleontologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for paleontologists is $49.00. The middle 50% earn between $36.11 and $67.01 an hour.
Which state pays paleontologists the most?
Texas has the highest median wage for paleontologists at $145,220, +42% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for paleontologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of paleontologists earn less than $59,330 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.