Hydrologists Salary
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 5.8K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$96,600
Median hourly
$46
Average annual
$103,600
Typical range
$64,020–$153,130
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Hydrologists is $96,600 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $46 an hour at a full-time schedule.
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..
Most earn between $64,020 and $153,130 a year. There are roughly 5.8K people employed as hydrologists in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Hydrologists.
- Hourly
- $46.44
- Daily
- $372
- Weekly
- $1,858
- Bi-weekly
- $3,715
- Monthly
- $8,050
- Annual
- $96,600
$96,600 a year is around the 50th percentile for Hydrologistss. The median is $96,600.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Maryland$143,010
- 2Virginia$132,080
- 3New Jersey$126,680
- 4California$122,110
- 5Georgia$121,830
- 6Massachusetts$119,350
- 7Missouri$116,100
- 8Alaska$108,660
- 9Nevada$107,930
- 10Washington$105,600
- 11Louisiana$104,520
- 12Michigan$101,060
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$152,730
- 2San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$147,080
- 3San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$142,640
- 4Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$138,020
- 5Trenton-Princeton, NJ$128,320
- 6Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$126,820
- 7Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$123,420
- 8Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV$118,390
- 9Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$113,550
- 10Reno, NV$111,140
- 11Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$108,680
- 12Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$106,860
Related job titles
Employers advertise Hydrologists roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$101,920
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientists$73,010
- Natural Sciences Managers$167,220
- Civil Engineers$100,840
- Environmental Engineers$107,110
- Soil and Plant Scientists$78,850
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$55,090
What a Hydrologists does
- Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
- Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
- Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Hydrologists make?
- The median annual wage for Hydrologists is $96,600 ($46 per hour). Pay ranges from about $64,020 at the 10th percentile to $153,130 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Hydrologists?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $103,600, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Hydrologistss the most?
- Maryland has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $143,010.
- Is Hydrologists a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 5.8K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Hydrologists do?
- Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.; Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.; Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes..