California / Water Resources Control Board / Engineering Geologist

Job-title file

Engineering Geologist

Design, analyze, and oversee technical systems or infrastructure, ensuring they meet specifications and codes.

351 employees hold this title in Water Resources Control Board. Median total compensation for the role is $120,224, above the department median of $110,246.

Employees: 351
Total payroll: $39.4M
Role median: $120,224
Agency median: $110,246
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$9,425$151,006+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 351 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Engineering Geologist pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — about 3,350 people — is $106,500. Water Resources Control Board pays a median base salary of $121,798 for this role, 14% above that figure — about the 62nd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Water Resources Control Board sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$45,540

$73,850

$106,500

$138,120

$171,270

Water Resources Control Board median · $121,798

The bar is the range of annual wages for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers across every employer in California, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Water Resources Control Board’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — about 23,470 people — is $101,920. Water Resources Control Board’s median base salary is 20% above that national figure, about the 63rd percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$59,330

$75,110

$101,920

$139,380

$200,230

Water Resources Control Board median · $121,798

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the California range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 327 of 351 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Water Resources Control Board is $120,224, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across California

Engineering Geologist is held in 13 California departments. In Water Resources Control Board, the median of $120,224 ranks #6 of 13.

Highest-paying departments for this role

CA Coastal Commission

$146,900 · 1

Fish and Wildlife

$142,556 · 1

CA. Coastal Commission

$135,883 · 1

Parks and Recreation

$133,690 · 7

Transportation

$124,977 · 83

Water Resources

$120,185 · 72

Toxic Substances Control

$119,696 · 53

State Energy Res Cons&Dev Com

$114,681 · 6

Conservation

$112,704 · 199

Department Resources Recycle/Recvry

$105,046 · 4

Office of Emergency Services

$101,070 · 2

Air Resources Board

$77,584 · 4

Median total compensation for the Engineering Geologist role in other Californiadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Engineering Geologist beyond California

This role is reported in 3 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $118,883 ranks #3 of 3. See Engineering Geologist across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

City of Los Angeles

$202,292 · 8

Los Angeles County

$185,094 · 5

Median total compensation for comparable Engineering Geologistroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Paul Cho

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$171,391

Base pay: $85,858
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $85,533
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $171,391
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,859
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756008
Salary Total: $12,511
Total Pay: $171,391

Paul Cho works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Paul earned $171,391 in 2024. Union affiliation: R09.

Guy Childs

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$162,482

Base pay: $162,132
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $162,482
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756021
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $162,482

Guy Childs holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $162,482. Union affiliation: R09.

Dale Dailey

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$159,537

Base pay: $149,447
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,091
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $159,537
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756040
Salary Total: $11,849
Total Pay: $159,537

At Water Resources Control Board, Dale Dailey serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $159,537. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Cabe Silverhame

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$155,377

Base pay: $142,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,121
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,377
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802503756109
Salary Total: $11,849
Total Pay: $155,377

Cabe Silverhame holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $155,377. They are represented by R09.

Kevin Brown

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$153,506

Base pay: $153,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $325
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,506
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801203756025
Salary Total: $12,770
Total Pay: $153,506

At Water Resources Control Board, Kevin Brown serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $153,506. Union affiliation: R09.

Roger Papler

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$152,997

Base pay: $152,647
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,997
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801203756029
Salary Total: $12,770
Total Pay: $152,997

Roger Papler works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Roger earned $152,997 in 2025. Union affiliation: R09.

Amanda Lopez

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$151,972

Base pay: $135,599
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $16,374
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,972
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801653756015
Salary Total: $11,284
Total Pay: $151,972

Amanda Lopez works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Amanda earned $151,972 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Brian Grey

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$151,006

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $825
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $151,006
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: El Dorado
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801603756026
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $151,006

Brian Grey is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $151,006. Union affiliation: R09.

Peter Minkel

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,531

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,531
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756032
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,531

Peter Minkel is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $150,531. They are represented by R09.

Jeffrey Hannel

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,531

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,531
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801553756027
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,531

Jeffrey Hannel holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,531. They are represented by R09.

Dayne Kendrick

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,531

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,531
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8805503756039
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,531

Dayne Kendrick holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,531. They are represented by R09.

Paul Sanders

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,531

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,531
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756027
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,531

Paul Sanders holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $150,531. They are represented by R09.

Valerie Zara

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,431

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,431
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756017
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,431

Valerie Zara works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Valerie earned $150,431 in 2025. They are represented by R09.

Patricia Hannon

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,381

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,381
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801803756024
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,381

Patricia Hannon works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Patricia earned $150,381 in 2025. They are represented by R09.

Jody Ebsen

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$150,356

Base pay: $150,181
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $175
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $150,356
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801903756003
Salary Total: $12,520
Total Pay: $150,356

Jody Ebsen is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $150,356. They are represented by R09.

Todd Del Frate

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$148,251

Base pay: $147,901
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,251
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756029
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $148,251

Todd Del Frate is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $148,251. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Debra Hallis

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$148,251

Base pay: $147,901
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,251
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801573756006
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $148,251

Debra Hallis holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $148,251. Union affiliation: R09.

Jeffrey Pyle

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$148,251

Base pay: $147,901
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,251
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801553756028
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $148,251

Jeffrey Pyle works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Jeffrey earned $148,251 in 2025. They are represented by R09.

Harumi Goya

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$147,964

Base pay: $147,664
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,964
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756012
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $147,964

Harumi Goya holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,964. They are represented by R09.

Steve Rowe

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$147,776

Base pay: $147,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,776
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756029
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $147,776

At Water Resources Control Board, Steve Rowe serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $147,776. Union affiliation: R09.

Kathleen Carpenter

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$147,178

Base pay: $146,578
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,178
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801553756029
Salary Total: $12,215
Total Pay: $147,178

Kathleen Carpenter is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $147,178. They are represented by R09.

Khalid Durrani

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$146,810

Base pay: $146,460
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,810
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801553756023
Salary Total: $12,215
Total Pay: $146,810

Khalid Durrani is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,810. Union affiliation: R09.

Ben Wright

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$146,167

Base pay: $145,867
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,167
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802503756083
Salary Total: $12,215
Total Pay: $146,167

Ben Wright holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,167. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Omar Pacheco

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$146,098

Base pay: $145,748
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,098
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801653756002
Salary Total: $12,215
Total Pay: $146,098

Omar Pacheco is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,098. They are represented by R09.

Graham Brown

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$145,606

Base pay: $145,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,606
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801203756044
Salary Total: $12,099
Total Pay: $145,606

Graham Brown works as a Engineering Geologist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Graham earned $145,606 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Alyx Karpowicz

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$145,606

Base pay: $145,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,606
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801203756002
Salary Total: $12,099
Total Pay: $145,606

At Water Resources Control Board, Alyx Karpowicz serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $145,606. Union affiliation: R09.

Vera Fischer

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$145,587

Base pay: $145,237
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,587
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756044
Salary Total: $12,337
Total Pay: $145,587

Vera Fischer is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $145,587. They are represented by R09.

David Young

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$144,909

Base pay: $144,559
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,909
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801403756022
Salary Total: $11,956
Total Pay: $144,909

David Young holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $144,909. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Cherie Mc Caulou

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$144,118

Base pay: $143,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,118
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,449
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801203756009
Salary Total: $11,985
Total Pay: $144,118

At Water Resources Control Board, Cherie Mc Caulou serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,118. Their bargaining unit is R09.

Mark Bare

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$143,836

Base pay: $142,256
Overtime: $1,280
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,836
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802403756011
Salary Total: $11,849
Total Pay: $143,836

Mark Bare is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,836. They are represented by R09.

Margaret Robinson

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$143,761

Base pay: $143,524
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $237
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,761
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sonoma
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801103756013
Salary Total: $11,956
Total Pay: $143,761

Margaret Robinson holds the role of Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $143,761. Union affiliation: R09.

William Rice

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$143,726

Base pay: $117,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,429
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,726
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,449
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801803756025
Salary Total: $11,735
Total Pay: $143,726

William Rice is a Engineering Geologist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $143,726. Union affiliation: R09.

Jonathan Meurer

Engineering Geologist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$143,354

Base pay: $142,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,098
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $143,354
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R09
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,215
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801503756073
Salary Total: $11,849
Total Pay: $143,354

At Water Resources Control Board, Jonathan Meurer serves as a Engineering Geologist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $143,354. Union affiliation: R09.