Top 15 cities for hydrologists by average salary
| Washington, DC | $153,030 |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $149,180 |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,450 |
| Baltimore, MD | $139,870 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $130,070 |
| Reno, NV | $124,880 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $122,810 |
| Denver, CO | $121,470 |
| Trenton, NJ | $120,090 |
| Portland, OR | $118,810 |
| Riverside, CA | $112,990 |
| Sacramento, CA | $112,230 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $106,040 |
| New York, NY | $103,800 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $103,010 |
Map: Hydrologists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Hydrologists salary by state
Maryland pays hydrologists the most statewide, $145,970 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $153,030 | $153,030 |
| Maryland | $145,970 | $143,010 | 90 | 1 | $139,870 | $139,870 |
| New Jersey | $127,450 | $126,680 | n/a | 1 | $120,090 | $120,090 |
| Washington | $123,510 | $105,600 | 350 | 1 | $93,460 | $93,460 |
| California | $122,940 | $122,110 | 540 | 5 | $149,180 | $112,230 |
| Colorado | $122,740 | $100,840 | 360 | 1 | $121,470 | $121,470 |
| Georgia | $122,030 | $121,830 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $119,710 | $119,350 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $119,240 | $132,080 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nevada | $116,790 | $107,930 | 170 | 2 | $124,880 | $122,810 |
| Missouri | $110,030 | $116,100 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $108,810 | $104,520 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alaska | $108,750 | $108,660 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $105,910 | $101,060 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Mexico | $105,700 | $97,470 | 100 | 1 | $102,670 | $102,670 |
| Arizona | $100,600 | $86,700 | 400 | 2 | $106,040 | $89,560 |
| Wyoming | $99,810 | $94,520 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $98,910 | $93,690 | 300 | 2 | $118,810 | $95,630 |
| Oklahoma | $97,470 | $97,470 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $97,230 | $94,190 | 80 | 1 | $98,360 | $98,360 |
| Ohio | $95,570 | $98,200 | 390 | 2 | $97,050 | $93,170 |
| New York | $95,000 | $88,100 | 160 | 1 | $103,800 | $103,800 |
| Minnesota | $94,300 | $94,580 | 300 | 1 | $95,260 | $95,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,500 | $91,730 | 160 | 1 | $103,010 | $103,010 |
| Montana | $92,840 | $84,500 | 190 | 1 | $92,390 | $92,390 |
| Illinois | $92,640 | $83,720 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $90,730 | $81,150 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $89,530 | $81,080 | 220 | 2 | $94,480 | $77,940 |
| Vermont | $89,120 | $86,140 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Idaho | $86,620 | $78,850 | 160 | 1 | $95,230 | $95,230 |
| North Carolina | $86,330 | $81,770 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $86,040 | $78,770 | 150 | 2 | $93,550 | $87,690 |
| Florida | $84,130 | $76,850 | 280 | 2 | $88,480 | $86,880 |
| Indiana | $83,660 | $80,700 | 50 | 1 | $81,940 | $81,940 |
| South Carolina | $74,660 | $65,770 | 100 | 1 | $73,940 | $73,940 |
Hydrologists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $153,030 | $152,730 | $73.57 | 50 |
| San Jose, CA | $149,180 | $142,640 | $71.72 | 30 |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,450 | $147,080 | $68.49 | 50 |
| Baltimore, MD | $139,870 | $138,020 | $67.25 | 50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $130,070 | $123,420 | $62.53 | 70 |
| Reno, NV | $124,880 | $111,140 | $60.04 | 70 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $122,810 | $118,390 | $59.04 | 50 |
| Denver, CO | $121,470 | $108,680 | $58.40 | 140 |
| Trenton, NJ | $120,090 | $128,320 | $57.73 | 40 |
| Portland, OR | $118,810 | $113,550 | $57.12 | 80 |
| Riverside, CA | $112,990 | $126,820 | $54.32 | 40 |
| Sacramento, CA | $112,230 | $106,860 | $53.96 | 110 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $106,040 | $90,000 | $50.98 | 260 |
| New York, NY | $103,800 | $88,100 | $49.91 | 130 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $103,010 | $85,540 | $49.53 | 70 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $102,670 | $101,520 | $49.36 | 50 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $98,360 | $94,420 | $47.29 | 60 |
| Columbus, OH | $97,050 | $98,200 | $46.66 | 170 |
| Bend, OR | $95,630 | $91,170 | $45.98 | 30 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $95,260 | $94,580 | $45.80 | 210 |
| Boise, ID | $95,230 | $88,150 | $45.78 | 80 |
| Houston, TX | $94,480 | $99,320 | $45.43 | 50 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $93,550 | $78,120 | $44.98 | 40 |
| Olympia, WA | $93,460 | $93,340 | $44.93 | 80 |
| Akron, OH | $93,170 | $99,470 | $44.79 | n/a |
| Helena, MT | $92,390 | $86,260 | $44.42 | 50 |
| Tucson, AZ | $89,560 | $81,640 | $43.06 | 80 |
| Miami, FL | $88,480 | $80,400 | $42.54 | 60 |
| Madison, WI | $87,690 | $81,310 | $42.16 | 60 |
| Tampa, FL | $86,880 | $77,020 | $41.77 | 60 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,940 | $80,700 | $39.39 | 30 |
| Austin, TX | $77,940 | $73,810 | $37.47 | 100 |
| Columbia, SC | $73,940 | $65,770 | $35.55 | 100 |
Related jobs
- PhysicistsU.S. average $171,180
- Atmospheric and Space ScientistsU.S. average $106,110
- ChemistsU.S. average $100,450
- Materials ScientistsU.S. average $126,180
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthU.S. average $91,680
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersU.S. average $116,150
- Physical Scientists, All OtherU.S. average $129,230
- AstronomersU.S. average $132,920
Hydrologists salary: questions
Where do hydrologists make the most money?
In Washington, DC, with an average of $153,030 a year, among the 33 metro areas we cover.
What is the average hydrologists salary in the U.S.?
$103,600 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $96,600, so half of hydrologists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should hydrologists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of hydrologists nationwide earn between $77,210 (25th percentile) and $122,830 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays hydrologists the most?
Maryland, with a statewide average of $145,970 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is hydrologists pay the lowest?
Columbia, SC, at $73,940 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2043.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.