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Hydraulic Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Hydraulic Technician make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hydraulic Technician in the United States is $54,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Hydraulic Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,549
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,716 to $61,863
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,522

Key Factors That Influence Hydraulic Technician Salaries

A Hydraulic Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Hydraulic Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hydraulic Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Hydraulic Technician (0-1 years): $54,519
  • Hydraulic Technician, Sr. (1-3 years): $65,233
  • Resident Field Technician (3-5 years): $74,039
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hydraulic Technician0-1 years$54,519
Hydraulic Technician, Sr.1-3 years$65,233
Resident Field Technician3-5 years$74,039

Top Paying Cities for Hydraulic Technician

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $68,765
  • San Francisco: $68,012
  • Oakland: $66,579

What Skills Can Increase a Hydraulic Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.58% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 2.51% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Welding (Mentioned in 1.07% Job Postings): Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature metal-joining techniques such as brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal. In addition to melting the base metal, a filler material is typically added to the joint to form a pool of molten material (the weld pool) that cools to form a joint that, based on weld configuration (butt, full penetration, fillet, etc.), can be stronger than the base material (parent metal). Pressure may also be used in conjunction with heat, or by itself, to produce a weld. Welding also requires a form of shield to protect the filler metals or melted metals from being contaminated or oxidized. Many different energy sources can be used for welding, including a gas flame (chemical), an electric arc (electrical), a laser, an electron beam, friction, and ultrasound. While often an industrial process, welding may be performed in many different environments, including in open air, under water, and in outer space. Welding is a hazardous undertaking and precautions are required to avoid burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.58%
Schematic 2.51%
Welding 1.07%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Hydraulic Technician's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $64,878
19%
Scheduling $61,606
13%
Initiative $60,516
11%

Hydraulic Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hydraulic Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,665. While startup companies pay approximate $51,326.

Hydraulic Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $51,326
Growth Stage 51~500 $54,276
Established 501~5000 $58,586
Enterprise 5000+ $60,665

Hydraulic Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hydraulic Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Hydraulic Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hydraulic Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hydraulic Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$81,778$39.050%
Aerospace & Defense$65,423$31.020%

Hydraulic Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hydraulic Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$47,716
Average $54,519/year
$61,863
$3,976
Average $4,543/month
$5,155
$918
Average $1,048/week
$1,190
$23
Average $26/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,863 $5,155 $1,190 $30
Average $54,519 $4,543 $1,048 $26
25th Percentile $47,716 $3,976 $918 $23

Hydraulic Technician Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Hydraulic Technician, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Hydraulic Technician Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Shop Service Technician II $65,233 20%
Hydraulic Technician, Sr. $65,233 20%
Resident Field Technician $74,039 36%
Rental Technician, Sr. $63,208 16%

Most common benefits for Hydraulic Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Hydraulic Technician

Here are companies hiring for Hydraulic Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Hydraulic Technician

1. Where can a Hydraulic Technician earn the most?

A Hydraulic Technician's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Hydraulic Technician earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Hydraulic Technician is $68,765.

2. What is the highest pay for Hydraulic Technician?

The highest pay for Hydraulic Technician is $68,549.

3. What is the lowest pay for Hydraulic Technician?

The lowest pay for Hydraulic Technician is $41,522.

4. What are the responsibilities of Hydraulic Technician?

Troubleshoots, diagnoses, repairs, reconditions, and services all hydraulic machines, systems, and components. Communicates findings and recommendations to customer and management. Must be proficient in basic cylinder assembly and teardown skills. Typically requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Hydraulic Technician?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Hydraulic Technician roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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