California Median
$106,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $101,920
State Rank
#9 of 50
3,350 employed here
How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make in California?
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers working in California earn a median salary of $106,500 per year, or about $51.20 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $101,920 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,540 while the top 10% make $171,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,850 and $138,120 a year.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,540 | $21.89 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,850 | $35.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,500 | $51.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $138,120 | $66.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,270 | $82.34 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other states
Texas $145,220Rhode Island $121,010Oklahoma $119,990Colorado $114,410Mississippi $112,400Maryland $110,510Massachusetts $108,210Alaska $107,410Hawaii $106,270Washington $105,020New Hampshire $101,150Nevada $99,890Oregon $98,110Illinois $96,950North Carolina $95,260Florida $95,140Delaware $93,640Louisiana $91,560Idaho $91,170Utah $89,990Alabama $88,610New Mexico $88,530New Jersey $88,500Virginia $88,390Vermont $87,070Maine $86,840New York $86,410South Carolina $86,070Nebraska $85,550Arizona $85,190Pennsylvania $84,180North Dakota $84,070Missouri $83,390Ohio $81,220Michigan $80,990Minnesota $80,540Kansas $80,080Wisconsin $78,610Tennessee $77,870Kentucky $77,510West Virginia $76,060Montana $75,520Wyoming $74,910Iowa $74,460Georgia $73,920South Dakota $71,150Indiana $68,240Arkansas $67,880Connecticut $61,810
Working as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in California
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($106,500) 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 do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers make in California?
The median Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in California is $106,500 per year, or about $51.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,540 at the entry level to $171,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers about 4% more than the national median of $101,920. California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $106,500 a year. About 3,350 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 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.