California Median
$70,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $64,790
State Rank
#6 of 28
300 employed here
How much does a Hydrologic Technician make in California?
A Hydrologic Technician working in California earns a median salary of $70,790 per year, or about $34.03 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $64,790 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,480 while the top 10% make $104,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,370 and $88,900 a year.
Hydrologic Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,480 | $23.31 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,370 | $26.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,790 | $34.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $88,900 | $42.74 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,750 | $50.36 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 28 states and territories for Hydrologic Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Hydrologic Technician salary in other states
Texas $88,400Washington $85,240New Mexico $79,710Missouri $79,440Massachusetts $73,820Nevada $68,660Maryland $67,520Georgia $66,770Pennsylvania $65,420New Jersey $65,190New York $65,190Arizona $65,170Kentucky $65,170Louisiana $65,170New Hampshire $64,790Oregon $62,510Florida $61,820Wisconsin $60,100North Carolina $59,590Colorado $56,780Idaho $54,950Montana $53,550Illinois $52,870Virginia $52,190Ohio $52,120West Virginia $48,230Tennessee $30,780
Working as a Hydrologic Technician in California
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as 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 ($70,790) 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 Hydrologic Technician make in California?
The median Hydrologic Technician salary in California is $70,790 per year, or about $34.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,480 at the entry level to $104,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Hydrologic Technicians about 9% more than the national median of $64,790. California ranks 6th out of 28 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Hydrologic Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,790 a year. About 300 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 Hydrologic Technician 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.