SOC 19-4043 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary in San Diego, CA

The average salary for geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) in San Diego, California is $109,230 a year ($52.51 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $82,350: half of the 80 people in this job in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 72% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($63,666).

$109,230average per year

$52.51 / hourMedian $82,350Take-home ≈ $79,607

  • $45K10th
  • $68K25th
  • $82KMedian
  • $140K75th
  • $181K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

80people in this job
+72%vs U.S. metro average
#1 of 5California metros
112cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians pay range in San Diego

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $180,580 or more. The middle half of geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) in San Diego earn between $68,160 and $140,420.

  • $45K10th
  • $68K25th
  • $82KMedian
  • $140K75th
  • $181K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$109,230$9,102$52.51
Median$82,350$6,862$39.59
Entry level (25th percentile)$68,160$5,680$32.77
Experienced (75th percentile)$140,420$11,702$67.51

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary after taxes in San Diego

On the average salary of $109,230, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $79,607 a year, or $6,634 a month and $3,062 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% 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.

Advertisement

Is San Diego a good place for geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $109,230 buys what about $97,625 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 8.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $109,230 is worth in another city

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in other California cities

San Diego ranks 1st of 5 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians)

San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,230).

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary by city

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in San Diego, CA.

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary in San Diego: questions

How much do geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) make an hour in San Diego?

$52.51 an hour on average, and $39.59 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) salary in San Diego?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $68,160, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) take-home pay in San Diego?

About $79,607 a year ($6,634 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $109,230. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do geological technicians (except hydrologic technicians) earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?

The average here is 72% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($63,666).

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 19-4043; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.1%.
  • 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 1.13, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.