Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in California
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in California earn a median of $69,410 a year ($33.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,670 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $53,350. California ranks 5th of 35 states for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $83,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| 25th percentile | $53,610 | $25.77 |
| Median | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| 75th percentile | $83,470 | $40.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Average (mean) | $83,050 | $39.93 |
Half of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,784.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,892.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,669.62 |
| Weekly | $1,334.81 |
| Hourly | $33.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $82,350 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,660 | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $69,410 | n/a |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,600 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $53,110 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $102,090 |
| Indiana | $79,290 |
| Alaska | $76,090 |
| Nevada | $73,700 |
| California | $69,410 |
| West Virginia | $69,350 |
| Washington | $63,910 |
| Nebraska | $63,160 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Tennessee | $63,050 |
See Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make in California?
The median salary for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in California is $69,410 a year, or $33.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make in California?
The top 10% of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in California earn at least $164,670 a year. The top 25% earn $83,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,300 a year, and a quarter of geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians earn $53,610 or less.
How many geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians work in California?
About 480 geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.