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Paleontologists

Earnings

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), all geoscientists, including paleontologists, earned a median annual salary of $91,130 in May 2018. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $49,430, and the highest paid 25 percent earned $187,990 or more annually. Keep in mind that those figures are for all geoscientists, many of whom work for the oil industry, which typically pays considerably more than academia.

Paleontologists usually receive excellent benefits packages and ample vacation time and sick leave. In addition, paleontologists who travel to various locations for their research have their travel and accommodations paid for and receive travel stipends from their employer or funding source.