average income of a paleontologist
Geoscientists, including paleontologists, had an average annual salary of $97,700 as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Assistant professors with a Ph.D. degree in paleontology earn starting salaries of $40,000 to $60,000 for a nine-month academic year, according to The Paleontological Society. Paleontologists with doctorates earn $50,000 to $80,000 over a full year when working in industry and government, according to the society.