Hydrologic Technician salary in California
Hydrologic Technicians in California earn a median of $70,790 a year ($34.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,750 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $64,790. California ranks 6th of 28 states for hydrologic technicians pay. There are 0.02 hydrologic technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologic technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| 25th percentile | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| Median | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| 75th percentile | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Average (mean) | $74,760 | $35.94 |
Half of 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 | $5,899.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,949.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,722.69 |
| Weekly | $1,361.35 |
| Hourly | $34.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologic Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,860 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $70,510 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for hydrologic technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $88,400 |
| Washington | $85,240 |
| New Mexico | $79,710 |
| Missouri | $79,440 |
| Massachusetts | $73,820 |
| California | $70,790 |
| Nevada | $68,660 |
| Maryland | $67,520 |
| Georgia | $66,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,420 |
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 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| 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 19-4044. 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 hydrologic technician make in California?
The median salary for hydrologic technicians in California is $70,790 a year, or $34.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologic technicians make in California?
The top 10% of hydrologic technicians in California earn at least $104,750 a year. The top 25% earn $88,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologic technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,480 a year, and a quarter of hydrologic technicians earn $55,370 or less.
How many hydrologic technicians work in California?
About 300 hydrologic technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.