Hydrologists pay range in San Francisco
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $87,980 a year or less, while the top 10% make $188,300 or more. The middle half of hydrologists in San Francisco earn between $111,540 and $165,000.
- $88K10th
- $112K25th
- $147KMedian
- $165K75th
- $188K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $142,450 | $11,871 | $68.49 |
| Median | $147,080 | $12,257 | $70.71 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $111,540 | $9,295 | $53.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $165,000 | $13,750 | $79.33 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Hydrologists pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.
Hydrologists in San Francisco earn 16% more than the California average ($122,940) and 38% more than the U.S. average ($103,600). At the median the gap is +52% against the U.S. median of $96,600.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $142,450 | $147,080 | $87,980 | $188,300 | 50 |
| California | $122,940 | $122,110 | $76,110 | $181,360 | 540 |
| United States | $103,600 | $96,600 | $64,020 | $153,130 | 5,850 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Hydrologists salary after taxes in San Francisco
On the average salary of $142,450, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $99,475 a year, or $8,290 a month and $3,826 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Francisco a good place for hydrologists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $142,450 buys what about $123,213 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 8.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Hydrologists salary in other California cities
San Francisco ranks 2nd of 5 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($149,180).
- San Jose$149,180
- San Francisco$142,450
- Los Angeles$130,070
- Riverside$112,990
- Sacramento$112,230
Highest-paying cities for hydrologists
Washington, DC pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($153,030).
- Washington, DC$153,030
- San Jose, CA$149,180
- San Francisco, CA$142,450
- Baltimore, MD$139,870
- Los Angeles, CA$130,070
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Hydrologists salary in San Francisco: questions
How much do hydrologists make an hour in San Francisco?
$68.49 an hour on average, and $70.71 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level hydrologists salary in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $87,980 a year and the 25th percentile is $111,540, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the hydrologists take-home pay in San Francisco?
About $99,475 a year ($8,290 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $142,450. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do hydrologists earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?
The average here is 38% more than the U.S. average for this job ($103,600).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2043; area San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.61, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.61).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.