California Median
$122,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$58.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $96,600
State Rank
#4 of 34
540 employed here
How much does a Hydrologist make in California?
A Hydrologist working in California earns a median salary of $122,110 per year, or about $58.71 per hour. That is 26% above the national median of $96,600 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $76,110 while the top 10% make $181,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,640 and $142,500 a year.
Hydrologist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,640 | $45.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $122,110 | $58.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $142,500 | $68.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,360 | $87.19 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 34 states and territories for Hydrologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Hydrologist salary in other states
Maryland $143,010Virginia $132,080New Jersey $126,680Georgia $121,830Massachusetts $119,350Missouri $116,100Alaska $108,660Nevada $107,930Washington $105,600Louisiana $104,520Michigan $101,060Colorado $100,840Ohio $98,200New Mexico $97,470Oklahoma $97,470Minnesota $94,580Wyoming $94,520Utah $94,190Oregon $93,690Pennsylvania $91,730New York $88,100Arizona $86,700Vermont $86,140Montana $84,500Illinois $83,720North Carolina $81,770Iowa $81,150Texas $81,080Indiana $80,700Idaho $78,850Wisconsin $78,770Florida $76,850South Carolina $65,770
Working as a Hydrologist in California
Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Hydrologists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($122,110) 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 Hydrologist make in California?
The median Hydrologist salary in California is $122,110 per year, or about $58.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,110 at the entry level to $181,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Hydrologists about 26% more than the national median of $96,600. California ranks 4th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Hydrologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $122,110 a year. About 540 Hydrologists 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 Hydrologist 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.