Salaries for all geoscience-related professions continue to exceed the national mean salary for all other science occupations in 2008. Petroleum engineering salaries averaged $119,400, and salaries for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) averaged $89,300. Salaries for environmental scientists and specialists averaged $65,280, just $1,000 over the national average for other science occupations.
Source: AGI Geoscience Workforce Program, data derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, 1999-2008. http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/Currents/Currents-024-Salaries99-08.pdf