Hydrologists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $115,540 +25.5% vs national
Median hourly $55.55
10th percentile $82,620
90th percentile $149,180
Employed locally 40
National median $92,060

Compare Hydrologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Hydrologists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $82,620
    25th
    $99,030
    50th (median)
    $115,540
    75th
    $128,750
    90th
    $149,180

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Hydrologists salary vs area income 113% Median Hydrologists salary is 13% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Hydrologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $138,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $137,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,090
    Maryland $134,410
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $134,410
    Virginia $125,900

    Nearby metros — Hydrologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $137,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,090
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $123,450
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $119,250
    California $118,960
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $114,790

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Hydrologists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Hydrologists in San Diego, CA is $55.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.72 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Hydrologists salaries?

    The median Hydrologists salary in San Diego, CA is 25.5% above the national median of $92,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Hydrologists in San Diego?

    Entry-level Hydrologists (10th percentile) earn around $82,620 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,030.