Hydrologist salary in California
Hydrologists in California earn a median of $122,110 a year ($58.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,360 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $96,600. California ranks 4th of 34 states for hydrologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $122,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| 25th percentile | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Median | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| 75th percentile | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,360 | $87.19 |
| Average (mean) | $122,940 | $59.10 |
Half of hydrologists 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 | $10,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,087.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,696.54 |
| Weekly | $2,348.27 |
| Hourly | $58.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $147,080 | 50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $142,640 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $126,820 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $123,420 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,860 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for hydrologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 |
| Virginia | $132,080 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 |
| California | $122,110 |
| Georgia | $121,830 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 |
| Missouri | $116,100 |
| Alaska | $108,660 |
| Nevada | $107,930 |
| Washington | $105,600 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Chemist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Physicist | $207,490 | $99.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| Materials Scientist | $177,030 | $85.11 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| Astronomer | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| 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 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
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 19-2043. 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 hydrologist make in California?
The median salary for hydrologists in California is $122,110 a year, or $58.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in California?
The top 10% of hydrologists in California earn at least $181,360 a year. The top 25% earn $142,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,110 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $93,640 or less.
How many hydrologists work in California?
About 540 hydrologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.