Hydrologist Salary
Hydrologists earn a median $96,600 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What hydrologists do
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.5% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 400
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of hydrologists is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Hydrologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,422
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,989
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,401
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,788
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,020 | $30.78 | $53,620 |
| 25th percentile | $77,210 | $37.12 | $63,147 |
| Median (50th) | $96,600 | $46.44 | $76,788 |
| 75th percentile | $122,830 | $59.05 | $95,220 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,130 | $73.62 | $115,930 |
Hydrologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 | +6.4% | $102,464 | $84,590 – $189,260 | 90 |
| Virginia | $132,080 | +4.9% | $94,762 | $61,990 – $156,750 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 | +9.4% | $91,972 | $76,810 – $176,480 | — |
| California | $122,110 | +2.6% | $86,014 | $76,110 – $181,360 | 540 |
| Georgia | $121,830 | — | $88,837 | $85,990 – $155,920 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 | +2.2% | $87,045 | $71,510 – $155,150 | 50 |
| Missouri | $116,100 | +5.6% | $85,987 | $73,920 – $136,990 | 50 |
| Alaska | $108,660 | — | $85,272 | $73,690 – $132,770 | 60 |
| Nevada | $107,930 | +10.8% | $84,759 | $77,570 – $164,980 | 170 |
| Washington | $105,600 | +5.6% | $83,120 | $80,450 – $194,900 | 350 |
| Louisiana | $104,520 | +8.7% | $79,610 | $74,480 – $184,290 | — |
| Michigan | $101,060 | −9.7% | $75,881 | $81,330 – $136,990 | 40 |
| Colorado | $100,840 | −13.1% | $76,042 | $82,430 – $201,630 | 360 |
| Ohio | $98,200 | +5.0% | $75,996 | $60,800 – $131,100 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $97,470 | +0.8% | $73,955 | $63,660 – $131,370 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $97,470 | −6.6% | $73,559 | $61,110 – $126,440 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $94,580 | +4.5% | $70,459 | $68,620 – $125,300 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $94,520 | +2.9% | $75,325 | $61,110 – $139,920 | 40 |
| Utah | $94,190 | +5.5% | $71,820 | $61,580 – $136,990 | 80 |
| Oregon | $93,690 | +1.0% | $67,373 | $68,040 – $124,900 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,730 | −2.7% | $70,546 | $45,300 – $141,070 | 160 |
| New York | $88,100 | +4.5% | $66,648 | $67,760 – $136,590 | 160 |
| Arizona | $86,700 | +13.5% | $67,865 | $64,700 – $160,710 | 400 |
| Vermont | $86,140 | +4.5% | $66,204 | $78,860 – $107,300 | 50 |
| Montana | $84,500 | +4.7% | $64,862 | $63,060 – $115,210 | 190 |
| Illinois | $83,720 | +4.9% | $63,728 | $59,070 – $133,430 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $81,770 | — | $63,601 | $64,320 – $111,050 | 150 |
| Iowa | $81,150 | −4.4% | $63,487 | $66,180 – $136,340 | 50 |
| Texas | $81,080 | +6.2% | $65,870 | $54,650 – $126,440 | 220 |
| Indiana | $80,700 | −2.7% | $63,251 | $60,790 – $116,270 | 50 |
| Idaho | $78,850 | +5.2% | $61,230 | $58,260 – $135,380 | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $78,770 | +3.0% | $61,450 | $65,290 – $115,920 | 150 |
| Florida | $76,850 | +7.8% | $62,894 | $58,620 – $119,670 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $65,770 | +7.4% | $52,237 | $57,830 – $115,210 | 100 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $99,070 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% |
| Chemist | $91,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Materials Scientist | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | Bachelor's degree | +2.1% |
| Astronomer | $128,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.8% |
| Physicist | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,920 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hydrologist make?
The national median salary for hydrologists is $96,600 a year ($46.44 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,020 and the top 10% earn over $153,130. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays hydrologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $143,010.
How many hydrologists are there in the U.S.?
About 5,850 people work as hydrologists nationwide.