Hydrologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,110
- 25th Percentile — Junior$93,640
- 50th Percentile — Median$122,110
- 75th Percentile — Senior$142,500
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$181,360
Half of Hydrologists in California earn more than $122,110. The top 10% make $181,360 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,110.
Hydrologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 34 states for Hydrologists pay, at $122,940 per year (18.7% above the U.S. average of $103,600).
- 540 people work as Hydrologists in California — 9.2% of all U.S. Hydrologists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.79: Hydrologists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,110; the top 10% earn over $181,360.
- Hourly equivalent: $59.11 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Maryland at $145,970.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Hydrologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Hydrologists here earn $122,940 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $122,940 is roughly equivalent to $86,577 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($145,970), New Jersey ($127,450), Washington ($123,510) are the closest alternatives for Hydrologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +64.3% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +54.1% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +20.8% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +14.0% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +8.7% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +3.6% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +0.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 5.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Hydrologists salary in California?
The average Hydrologists salary in California is $122,940 per year (median $122,110), which is 18.7% above the national average of $103,600.
How does California rank for Hydrologists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 34 states. The highest-paying state is Maryland ($145,970/yr).
How much do entry-level Hydrologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Hydrologists in California earn about $76,110 per year and the 25th percentile is $93,640.
How much do Hydrologists make per hour in California?
About $59.11 per hour, based on the $122,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Hydrologists work in California?
BLS counts 540 Hydrologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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