Hydrologist salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hydrologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $142,640 a year ($68.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,320 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 17% higher than the California statewide median of $122,110. There are 0.03 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $149,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| 25th percentile | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Median | $142,640 | $68.58 |
| 75th percentile | $171,010 | $82.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,320 | $98.71 |
| Average (mean) | $149,180 | $71.72 |
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 | $11,886.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,943.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,486.15 |
| Weekly | $2,743.08 |
| Hourly | $68.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $142,640 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 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $126,820 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $123,420 | 70 |
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Physicist | $173,450 | $83.39 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $160,580 | $77.20 |
| Materials Scientist | $231,920 | $111.50 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $159,300 | $76.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $128,980 | $62.01 |
| Biological Technician | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $133,790 | $64.32 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $75,010 | $36.06 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for hydrologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $142,640 a year, or $68.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $205,320 a year. The top 25% earn $171,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,440 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $122,110 or less.
How many hydrologists work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 30 hydrologists are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.