Geologist III pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20001390
- Class code
- 20001390
- Pay grade
- 14
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Geologist III is $3,673 to $5,877 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 $44,074 to $70,518 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20001390.
- 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 | $3,673 | $5,509 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $3,918 | $5,877 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $22.60 | $33.90 | 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
Conducts complex professional geological work. Serves as consultant in specialized areas; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Interprets geological, hydrological, and topographical maps. Coordinates work of other geological personnel. Examines and classifies rock cores. Prepares geology reviews for project development. Develops areas of expertise. Serves as consultant to staff personnel. Conducts remediation investigations and reviews clean-up plans. Disseminates geological information to other state agencies and consultants. Prepares geotechnical reports. Reviews geological and hydrological information on permits. Performs special projects. Serves as interim supervisor as needed. 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: Three years of geological experience. Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: Graduate study in geology will substitute for the experience on a year-for-year basis. 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 III in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,482 | $104,719 | $56,482 to $104,719 |
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.