North Carolina Median
$81,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $96,600
State Rank
#27 of 34
150 employed here
How much does a Hydrologist make in North Carolina?
A Hydrologist working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $81,770 per year, or about $39.31 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $96,600 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $64,320 while the top 10% make $111,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,900 and $106,090 a year.
Hydrologist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,900 | $33.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,770 | $39.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $106,090 | $51.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,050 | $53.39 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 27th 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 $84,500Illinois $83,720Iowa $81,150Texas $81,080Indiana $80,700Idaho $78,850Wisconsin $78,770Florida $76,850South Carolina $65,770
Working as a Hydrologist in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($81,770) 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 North Carolina?
The median Hydrologist salary in North Carolina is $81,770 per year, or about $39.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,320 at the entry level to $111,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Hydrologists about 15% less than the national median of $96,600. North Carolina ranks 27th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Hydrologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $81,770 a year. About 150 Hydrologists are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.