Geologist I pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20001387
- Class code
- 20001387
- Pay grade
- 12
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Geologist I is $3,036 to $4,857 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $36,426 to $58,282 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20001387.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $3,036 | $4,553 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $3,238 | $4,857 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $18.68 | $28.02 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 02/01/2024.
What the state says the job is
Performs beginning level geological work such as compiling data, preparing detailed geologic of maps, performing special investigations as to mineral resources, reviewing permit applications, permits and maps; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Assists in collecting and reporting geological data. Assists in compiling technical, geological, and mineral resource reports. Assists in compiling geological investigations of major aggregate sources for state use. Assists in laboratory and field investigations of aggregate problems. Assists in conducting soil and subsurface investigations. Assists in writing and reviewing technical and professional reports and papers. Assists in disseminating geological information. Assists in classifying rock cores. UNIQUE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: May require substantial walking, crawling, and some lifting.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in geology, earth system science, earth and environmental sciences, or related field. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Registration by the Board of Registration for Professional Geologists (KRS Chapter 322A) will substitute for the required education.
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in Kentucky
Geologist I in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,469 | $77,690 | $46,469 to $77,690 |
| Hawaii | $6,221 | $8,855 | $74,652 to $106,260 |
| Mississippi | $40,286 | $70,801 | $40,286 to $70,801 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.