Average Paleontologist Salary - Payscale

United StatesJobPaleontologistAverage Paleontologist SalaryPaySkillsJob ListingsHow should I pay?Price a JobWhat am I worth?Find market worth$79,193/ yearAvg. Base Salary (USD)10%$38kMEDIAN$79k90%$136k

The average salary for a Paleontologist is $79,193 in 2025

Base Salary$38k - $136kBonus$12 - $2kProfit Sharing$0 - $55Total Pay$41k - $138kBased on 45 salary profiles (last updated Sep 08 2025)Is Average Paleontologist Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paidUse our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?Location:United States (change)Years in Field/Career:How it works:1Enter city & years of experience2Add pay factors like skills & education3Find your market worth with a report tailored to youEXPLORE BY:CityLos Angeles, CASee All CitiesDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »ExperienceEntry LevelEarly CareerMid CareerDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »SkillPaleontologyLand SurveyingGeographic Information Systems (GIS)Construction Site InspectionSee All SkillsDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »JobCivil EngineerConstruction InspectorConstruction SuperintendentGeographic Information Systems (GIS) AnalystEnvironmental ScientistField EngineerConstruction ManagerLand SurveyorSurvey Party ChiefGeographic Information Systems (GIS) SpecialistDon't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report »

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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Paleontologists?

Entry Level▼39%Early Career▲3%Mid Career▲3%

An entry-level Paleontologist with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $48,589 based on 9 salaries. An early career Paleontologist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $81,755 based on 11 salaries. A mid-career …Read more

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Common Health Benefits for a Paleontologist

Medical63%Dental50%Vision38%None38%

Gender Breakdown for Paleontologists

Male62.5%Female37.5%This data is based on 8 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.

FAQs About Paleontologists

What is the highest pay for Paleontologists?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Paleontologist is $136k / year

What is the lowest pay for Paleontologists?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Paleontologist is $38k / year

How can Paleontologists increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Paleontologist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Paleontologist that oversees more junior Paleontologists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

WHAT AM I WORTH?What your skills are worth in the job market is constantly changing.Job Title:Location:United States (change)