How much does a hydrologist make in California?
$122,100a year
Median yearly pay for hydrologists in California. That is $58.71 an hour or $10,180 a month.
- Hourly
- $58.71
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 34
- Jobs in the state
- 540
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $76,110Median: $122,100Highest 10%: $181,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,110 | $36.59 | |
| 25th | $93,640 | $45.02 | |
| Median | $122,100 | $58.71 | |
| 75th | $142,500 | $68.51 | |
| 90th | $181,400 | $87.19 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $147,100 |
| San Jose, CA | $142,600 |
| Riverside, CA | $126,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $123,400 |
| Sacramento, CA | $106,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for hydrologists.
| 1. Maryland | $143,000 |
| 2. Virginia | $132,100 |
| 3. New Jersey | $126,700 |
| 4. California | $122,100 |
| 5. Georgia | $121,800 |
| 6. Massachusetts | $119,400 |
| 7. Missouri | $116,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hydrologist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $58.71 ($122,100 a year).
Do hydrologists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $122,100 against $96,600 nationally, 26% more.
Where does California rank for hydrologist pay?
California ranks 4 of 34 states.
Which city in California pays hydrologists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $147,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.