Hydrologists Salary
In California, hydrologists earn $122,110 at the median, or about $58.71 an hour. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $181K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $115,046 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 34.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $122K get you in California?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for hydrologists, local pay runs about 26% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K. Top earners bring in $181K or more, a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in California
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $147K | +20% | 50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $143K | +17% | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $127K | +4% | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $123K | +1% | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $107K | -12% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $122K, rent takes 34.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,567/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 54% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hydrologist a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 26% above the national median — $122K here vs. $97K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for hydrologists?
California pays $122K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +26%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $115K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in California?
The median is $122,110 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,110, and experienced hydrologists can clear $181,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,227/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 34.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hydrologists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hydrologists salary is worth about $115,046 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hydrologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.