Hydrologists Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $96,600 · Median hourly: $46.44 · Employment: 5,850
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| 25th | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Median | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| 75th | $122,830 | $59.06 |
| 90th | $153,130 | $73.62 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-2043
- Total U.S. employment: 5,850
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $64,020, median pay is $96,600, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $153,130.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $64,020, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $153,130 — a 2.4x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Hydrologists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $108,660 | $52.24 | +12.5% | 60 |
| Arizona | $86,700 | $41.68 | -10.2% | 400 |
| California | $122,110 | $58.71 | +26.4% | 540 |
| Colorado | $100,840 | $48.48 | +4.4% | 360 |
| Florida | $76,850 | $36.95 | -20.4% | 280 |
| Georgia | $121,830 | $58.57 | +26.1% | 30 |
| Idaho | $78,850 | $37.91 | -18.4% | 160 |
| Illinois | $83,720 | $40.25 | -13.3% | 100 |
| Indiana | $80,700 | $38.80 | -16.5% | 50 |
| Iowa | $81,150 | $39.02 | -16.0% | 50 |
| Louisiana | $104,520 | $50.25 | +8.2% | 0 |
| Maryland | $143,010 | $68.75 | +48.0% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 | $57.38 | +23.6% | 50 |
| Michigan | $101,060 | $48.59 | +4.6% | 40 |
| Minnesota | $94,580 | $45.47 | -2.1% | 300 |
| Missouri | $116,100 | $55.82 | +20.2% | 50 |
| Montana | $84,500 | $40.62 | -12.5% | 190 |
| Nevada | $107,930 | $51.89 | +11.7% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 | $60.90 | +31.1% | 0 |
| New Mexico | $97,470 | $46.86 | +0.9% | 100 |
| New York | $88,100 | $42.36 | -8.8% | 160 |
| North Carolina | $81,770 | $39.31 | -15.4% | 150 |
| Ohio | $98,200 | $47.21 | +1.7% | 390 |
| Oklahoma | $97,470 | $46.86 | +0.9% | 40 |
| Oregon | $93,690 | $45.04 | -3.0% | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,730 | $44.10 | -5.0% | 160 |
| South Carolina | $65,770 | $31.62 | -31.9% | 100 |
| Tennessee | — | — | — | 150 |
| Texas | $81,080 | $38.98 | -16.1% | 220 |
| Utah | $94,190 | $45.28 | -2.5% | 80 |
| Vermont | $86,140 | $41.42 | -10.8% | 50 |
| Virginia | $132,080 | $63.50 | +36.7% | 40 |
| Washington | $105,600 | $50.77 | +9.3% | 350 |
| Wisconsin | $78,770 | $37.87 | -18.5% | 150 |
| Wyoming | $94,520 | $45.44 | -2.2% | 40 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for hydrologists?
The median annual wage for hydrologists is $96,600 ($46.44 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays hydrologists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many hydrologists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 5,850 hydrologists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do hydrologists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $46.44. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.