SOC 192043

Hydrologists

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.

National Median

$92,060

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$92,060

Entry Level (10th pct)

$60,010

Experienced (90th pct)

$139,420

Total Employed

5,720

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$60,010 - $73,330
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$73,330 - $114,940
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$114,940 - $139,420

Highest Paying Locations for Hydrologists

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

$138,500

+50.4% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$137,270

+49.1% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$137,090

+48.9% vs national

Maryland

$134,410

+46.0% vs national

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

$134,410

+46.0% vs national

Hydrologists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$138,500	40
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$137,270	50
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$137,090	40
Maryland	$134,410	70
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$134,410	40
Virginia	$125,900	40
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$125,670	30
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$125,670	120
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$123,840	40
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$123,450	90
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$119,250	50
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$119,180	30
California	$118,960	670
Massachusetts	$116,750	110
Colorado	$116,000	270
New Jersey	$115,770	70
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$115,540	40
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$114,790	90
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$112,590	70
Michigan	$111,860	30
Missouri	$109,970	60
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$107,980	70
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$107,440	110
Oklahoma	$104,330	30
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$104,270	120
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$101,090	30
Reno, NV	$100,790	70
Washington	$100,000	270
North Dakota	$98,430	30
Nevada	$97,430	180
New Mexico	$96,660	110
Louisiana	$96,180	N/A
Hawaii	$95,000	30
Pennsylvania	$94,310	230
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$93,910	70
Ohio	$93,520	260
Albuquerque, NM	$93,360	70
Oregon	$92,750	280
Wyoming	$91,890	50
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$90,610	70
Minnesota	$90,500	300
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$90,500	220
Baton Rouge, LA	$89,860	N/A
Utah	$89,310	100
Salem, OR	$87,540	80
Alabama	$86,750	30
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$86,090	40
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$85,150	40
Iowa	$84,880	50
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$84,640	30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Hydrologists?

The national median annual salary for Hydrologists is $92,060, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Hydrologistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Hydrologistss is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, with a median salary of $138,500.

How much can an experienced Hydrologists make?

Top-earning Hydrologistss (90th percentile) make $139,420 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.