Hydrologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for hydrologists is $58.71 an hour ($122,110 a year). About 540 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($96,600). California ranks 4th of 34 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for hydrologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $36.59 | $76,110 |
| 25% of workers | $45.02 | $93,640 |
| Half of workers (median) | $58.71 | $122,110 |
| 75% of workers | $68.51 | $142,500 |
| 90% of workers | $87.19 | $181,360 |
Hydrologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $147,080 | 50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $142,640 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $126,820 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $123,420 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $106,860 | 110 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for hydrologists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +1.5% over ten years, little or no change · about 400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 |
| Chemists | $97,860 |
| Physicists | $207,490 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 |
| Materials Scientists | $177,030 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.