How much does a Hydrographic Surveyor make in California?
As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hydrographic Surveyor in California is $78,752 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Hydrographic Surveyor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,397
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,074 to $84,324
Key Factors That Influence Hydrographic Surveyor Salaries
A Hydrographic Surveyor'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 Hydrographic Surveyor Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Hydrographic Surveyor'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:
How Do Hydrographic Surveyor Salaries Vary from State to State?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hydrographic Surveyors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Hydrographic Surveyor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Hydrographic Surveyor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average.
In contrast, Hydrographic Surveyor positions in Construction or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Hydrographic Surveyor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Hydrographic Surveyor
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking
$106,315
$51.0
35%
Financial Services
$102,378
$49.0
30%
Biotechnology
$98,440
$47.0
25%
Pharmaceuticals
$94,503
$45.0
20%
Energy & Utilities
$90,565
$44.0
15%
Hydrographic Surveyor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Hydrographic Surveyor'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.
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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