Illinois Median
$83,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $96,600
State Rank
#26 of 34
100 employed here
How much does a Hydrologist make in Illinois?
Hydrologists in Illinois take home a median of $83,720 annually — roughly $40.25 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $96,600.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $59,070 while the top 10% make $133,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,590 and $110,110 a year.
Hydrologist salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,070 | $28.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,590 | $32.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,720 | $40.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $110,110 | $52.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,430 | $64.15 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories for Hydrologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Hydrologist salary in other states
Maryland $143,010Virginia $132,080New Jersey $126,680California $122,110Georgia $121,830Massachusetts $119,350Missouri $116,100Alaska $108,660Nevada $107,930Washington $105,600Louisiana $104,520Michigan $101,060Colorado $100,840Ohio $98,200New Mexico $97,470Oklahoma $97,470Minnesota $94,580Wyoming $94,520Utah $94,190Oregon $93,690Pennsylvania $91,730New York $88,100Arizona $86,700Vermont $86,140Montana $84,500North Carolina $81,770Iowa $81,150Texas $81,080Indiana $80,700Idaho $78,850Wisconsin $78,770Florida $76,850South Carolina $65,770
Working as a Hydrologist in Illinois
Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Hydrologists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($83,720) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Hydrologist make in Illinois?
The median Hydrologist salary in Illinois is $83,720 per year, or about $40.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,070 at the entry level to $133,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Hydrologists about 13% less than the national median of $96,600. Illinois ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Hydrologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,720 a year. About 100 Hydrologists are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Hydrologist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.