Hydrologist salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Hydrologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $123,420 a year ($59.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,240 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $122,110. There are 0.01 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $130,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| 25th percentile | $88,810 | $42.70 |
| Median | $123,420 | $59.34 |
| 75th percentile | $154,710 | $74.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,240 | $102.04 |
| Average (mean) | $130,070 | $62.53 |
Half of hydrologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,285 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,142.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,746.92 |
| Weekly | $2,373.46 |
| Hourly | $59.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $123,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Hydrologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $147,080 | 50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $142,640 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $126,820 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,860 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for hydrologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 |
| Virginia | $132,080 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 |
| California | $122,110 |
| Georgia | $121,830 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 |
| Missouri | $116,100 |
| Alaska | $108,660 |
| Nevada | $107,930 |
| Washington | $105,600 |
See Hydrologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,340 | $50.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $136,160 | $65.46 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| Physicist | $160,270 | $77.05 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $111,790 | $53.74 |
| Materials Scientist | $149,980 | $72.11 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,380 | $46.34 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hydrologist make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $123,420 a year, or $59.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $212,240 a year. The top 25% earn $154,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,490 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $88,810 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 70 hydrologists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.