How much does a hydrologist make?
The median hydrologist in the United States earns $96,600 per year, about $46.44 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all hydrologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-2043.
Hydrologist salary range
Pay for hydrologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $153,130. The average (mean) wage of $103,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,020 | $30.78 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,210 | $37.12 | |
| Median (50th) | $96,600 | $46.44 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $122,830 | $59.06 | |
| 90th percentile | $153,130 | $73.62 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for hydrologists (SOC 19-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Hydrologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Hydrologists earn the most in Maryland at $143,010 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $65,770. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 | 90 |
| Virginia | $132,080 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 | N/A |
| California | $122,110 | 540 |
| Georgia | $121,830 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 | 50 |
| Missouri | $116,100 | 50 |
| Alaska | $108,660 | 60 |
| Nevada | $107,930 | 170 |
| Washington | $105,600 | 350 |
| Louisiana | $104,520 | N/A |
| Michigan | $101,060 | 40 |
| Colorado | $100,840 | 360 |
| Ohio | $98,200 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $97,470 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $97,470 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $94,580 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $94,520 | 40 |
| Utah | $94,190 | 80 |
| Oregon | $93,690 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,730 | 160 |
| New York | $88,100 | 160 |
| Arizona | $86,700 | 400 |
| Vermont | $86,140 | 50 |
| Montana | $84,500 | 190 |
| Illinois | $83,720 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $81,770 | 150 |
| Iowa | $81,150 | 50 |
| Texas | $81,080 | 220 |
| Indiana | $80,700 | 50 |
| Idaho | $78,850 | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $78,770 | 150 |
| Florida | $76,850 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $65,770 | 100 |
State median wages for hydrologists (SOC 19-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for hydrologists
The BLS projects employment of hydrologists to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 6,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for hydrologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a hydrologist
The typical entry-level education for hydrologists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a hydrologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $143,010) and the lowest (South Carolina, $65,770) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,850 people work as hydrologists in the United States. At $96,600 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Hydrologist salary FAQ
How much does a hydrologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a hydrologist is $46.44. The middle half of hydrologists earn between $37.12 and $59.06 per hour.
What is the highest hydrologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of hydrologists earn more than $153,130 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a hydrologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a hydrologist is $96,600. The average (mean) wage of $103,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a hydrologist a well paid job?
At $96,600 a year, a hydrologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,850 people work as hydrologists in the United States.
Which state pays hydrologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for hydrologists at $143,010 a year. Virginia ($132,080) and New Jersey ($126,680) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a hydrologist a good career?
Employment of hydrologists is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a hydrologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for hydrologists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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