Hydrologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Hydrologists Make?
Hydrologists earn a median annual salary of $92,060 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $60,010 at the 10th percentile to $139,420 at the 90th percentile — a range of $79,410. The highest-paying state is Maryland at $134,410.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,010 |
| 25th percentile | $73,330 |
| Median (50th) | $92,060 |
| 75th percentile | $114,940 |
| 90th percentile | $139,420 |
Hydrologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Marylandtop | $134,410 |
| Virginia | $125,900 |
| California | $118,960 |
| Massachusetts | $116,750 |
| Colorado | $116,000 |
| New Jersey | $115,770 |
| Michigan | $111,860 |
| Missouri | $109,970 |
| Oklahoma | $104,330 |
| Washington | $100,000 |
| North Dakota | $98,430 |
| Nevada | $97,430 |
| New Mexico | $96,660 |
| Louisiana | $96,180 |
| Hawaii | $95,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,310 |
| Ohio | $93,520 |
| Oregon | $92,750 |
| Wyoming | $91,890 |
| Minnesota | $90,500 |
| Utah | $89,310 |
| Alabama | $86,750 |
| Iowa | $84,880 |
| New York | $84,320 |
| Indiana | $82,970 |
| Vermont | $82,450 |
| Montana | $80,690 |
| Illinois | $79,790 |
| Wisconsin | $76,460 |
| Arizona | $76,420 |
| Texas | $76,360 |
| Idaho | $74,960 |
| Florida | $71,290 |
| South Carolina | $61,240 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Hydrologists
Hydrologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$60,010 – $73,330 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$92,060 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$114,940 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $139,420+ |
How to Earn More as a Hydrologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Hydrologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO earn $125,670 — $33,610 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($114,940) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Hydrologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hydrologistthis career | $92,060 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $161,180 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Manager | $136,550 |
| Geodetic Surveyor | $72,740 |
| Water/Wastewater Engineer | $99,590 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 19-2043.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.