Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$69,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $53,350
State Rank
#5 of 35
480 employed here

How much does a Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians make in California?

A Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians working in California earns a median salary of $69,410 per year, or about $33.37 per hour. That is 30% above the national median of $53,350 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,300 while the top 10% make $164,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,610 and $83,470 a year.

Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,300$21.78
25th percentile (early career)$53,610$25.77
50th percentile (median)$69,410$33.37
75th percentile (experienced)$83,470$40.13
90th percentile (top earners)$164,670$79.17

How California compares

California ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories for Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$102,090
2Indiana$79,290
3Alaska$76,090
4Nevada$73,700
5California$69,410

Working as a Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians in California

Nationally, about 7,000 people work as Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($69,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians make in California?
The median Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in California is $69,410 per year, or about $33.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,300 at the entry level to $164,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians about 30% more than the national median of $53,350. California ranks 5th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $69,410 a year. About 480 Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.