Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, California
$127,000 / year
≈ $10,600 per month · $61.06 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for California · median $126,500
25th percentile
$97,000Average
$127,00075th percentile
$147,500
$97,000Average
$127,00075th percentile
$147,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Hydrologist salary by state
Alaska$112,500
Arizona$104,000
California$127,000
Colorado$127,000
Florida$87,000
Georgia$126,500
Idaho$89,500
Illinois$96,000
Indiana$86,500
Iowa$94,000
Louisiana$112,500
Maryland$151,000
Massachusetts$124,000
Michigan$109,500
Minnesota$97,500
Missouri$114,000
Montana$96,000
Nevada$121,000
New Jersey$132,000
New Mexico$109,500
New York$98,500
North Carolina$89,500
Ohio$99,000
Oklahoma$101,000
Oregon$102,500
Pennsylvania$97,000
South Carolina$77,500
Texas$92,500
Utah$100,500
Vermont$92,000
Virginia$123,500
Washington$128,000
Wisconsin$89,000
Wyoming$103,500
About this role
Hydrologist is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Hydrologists do
Typical education: Master's Degree
- 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.
Top skills: Critical Thinking Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Mathematics
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Hydrologist pay by experience level
Entry level$66,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$80,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$100,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$127,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$158,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-0.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
500
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Hydrologist salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
3,790 workers
$101,500Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,720 workers
$122,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
1,540 workers
$108,500State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,520 workers
$89,500Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
1,160 workers
$127,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
730 workers
$109,500Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
520 workers
$112,500Educational Services
170 workers
$85,500Educational Services, State Government Owned
170 workers
$85,500Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
170 workers
$85,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Hydrologist pays 6% above the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geographer$106,000
Atmospheric and Space Scientists$110,000
Chemist$104,000
School Psychologist$102,500
Nuclear Monitoring Technician$112,500
Epidemiologist$101,500
Microbiologist$101,000
Clinical Neuropsychologist$115,000
Careers related to Hydrologist
Industrial Ecologist$95,000
Range Manager$80,000
Natural Sciences Manager$186,500
Civil Engineer$112,500
Environmental Engineer$117,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Hydrologist make?
The average base salary for a Hydrologist in the United States is $107,000 per year, or about $51.44 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $80,000 and $127,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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