How much does a Hydrologist make?
The median pay for a Hydrologist in the United States is $96,600 per year — about $46.44 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $64,020, while the most experienced Hydrologists in the top 10% earn $153,130.
That is $35,210 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Hydrologist salary range by percentile
Half of all Hydrologists earn between $77,210 and $122,830 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,020 | $30.78 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,210 | $37.12 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,600 | $46.44 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $122,830 | $59.05 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,130 | $73.62 |
Highest-paying states for Hydrologist
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maryland leads the country for Hydrologist pay at $143,010 a year, followed by Virginia ($132,080) and New Jersey ($126,680). At the other end, South Carolina posts the lowest median at $65,770 — a gap of $77,240 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $143,010 | $68.75 | +48% |
| 2 | Virginia | $132,080 | $63.50 | +37% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $126,680 | $60.90 | +31% |
| 4 | California | $122,110 | $58.71 | +26% |
| 5 | Georgia | $121,830 | $58.57 | +26% |
Hydrologist salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 34 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 6,000 people work as Hydrologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $103,600 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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