Montana Median
$84,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $96,600
State Rank
#25 of 34
190 employed here
How much does a Hydrologist make in Montana?
A Hydrologist working in Montana earns a median salary of $84,500 per year, or about $40.63 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $96,600 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $63,060 while the top 10% make $115,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,330 and $104,740 a year.
Hydrologist salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,060 | $30.32 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $84,500 | $40.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,740 | $50.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 25th 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 $86,140Illinois $83,720North Carolina $81,770Iowa $81,150Texas $81,080Indiana $80,700Idaho $78,850Wisconsin $78,770Florida $76,850South Carolina $65,770
Working as a Hydrologist in Montana
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 Montana pay ($84,500) 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 Montana?
The median Hydrologist salary in Montana is $84,500 per year, or about $40.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,060 at the entry level to $115,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Hydrologists about 13% less than the national median of $96,600. Montana ranks 25th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Hydrologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $84,500 a year. About 190 Hydrologists are employed in Montana. 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 Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Hydrologist salary report
Related salaries
$101,920
median pay · 23,000 employed
$102,040
median pay · 1,000 employed
$110,240
median pay · 6,000 employed
$70,770
median pay · 9,000 employed
$100,580
median pay · 76,000 employed
$76,780
median pay · 18,000 employed
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.