Hydrologists Salary by State
The national median pay for hydrologists is $96,600 a year. By state, it ranges from $65,770 in South Carolina to $143,010 in Maryland.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $64,020
- 25th percentile
- $77,210
- Median
- $96,600
- 75th percentile
- $122,830
- Top 10%
- $153,130
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 5,850 jobs.
Median pay in 34 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $143,010 | +48% | $84,590 | $189,260 | 90 |
| 2 | Virginia | $132,080 | +37% | $61,990 | $156,750 | 40 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $126,680 | +31% | $76,810 | $176,480 | Not published |
| 4 | California | $122,110 | +26% | $76,110 | $181,360 | 540 |
| 5 | Georgia | $121,830 | +26% | $85,990 | $155,920 | 30 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $119,350 | +24% | $71,510 | $155,150 | 50 |
| 7 | Missouri | $116,100 | +20% | $73,920 | $136,990 | 50 |
| 8 | Alaska | $108,660 | +12% | $73,690 | $132,770 | 60 |
| 9 | Nevada | $107,930 | +12% | $77,570 | $164,980 | 170 |
| 10 | Washington | $105,600 | +9% | $80,450 | $194,900 | 350 |
| 11 | Louisiana | $104,520 | +8% | $74,480 | $184,290 | Not published |
| 12 | Michigan | $101,060 | +5% | $81,330 | $136,990 | 40 |
| 13 | Colorado | $100,840 | +4% | $82,430 | $201,630 | 360 |
| 14 | Ohio | $98,200 | +2% | $60,800 | $131,100 | 390 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $97,470 | +1% | $63,660 | $131,370 | 100 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | $97,470 | +1% | $61,110 | $126,440 | 40 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $94,580 | −2% | $68,620 | $125,300 | 300 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $94,520 | −2% | $61,110 | $139,920 | 40 |
| 19 | Utah | $94,190 | −2% | $61,580 | $136,990 | 80 |
| 20 | Oregon | $93,690 | −3% | $68,040 | $124,900 | 300 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $91,730 | −5% | $45,300 | $141,070 | 160 |
| 22 | New York | $88,100 | −9% | $67,760 | $136,590 | 160 |
| 23 | Arizona | $86,700 | −10% | $64,700 | $160,710 | 400 |
| 24 | Vermont | $86,140 | −11% | $78,860 | $107,300 | 50 |
| 25 | Montana | $84,500 | −13% | $63,060 | $115,210 | 190 |
| 26 | Illinois | $83,720 | −13% | $59,070 | $133,430 | 100 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $81,770 | −15% | $64,320 | $111,050 | 150 |
| 28 | Iowa | $81,150 | −16% | $66,180 | $136,340 | 50 |
| 29 | Texas | $81,080 | −16% | $54,650 | $126,440 | 220 |
| 30 | Indiana | $80,700 | −16% | $60,790 | $116,270 | 50 |
| 31 | Idaho | $78,850 | −18% | $58,260 | $135,380 | 160 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $78,770 | −18% | $65,290 | $115,920 | 150 |
| 33 | Florida | $76,850 | −20% | $58,620 | $119,670 | 280 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $65,770 | −32% | $57,830 | $115,210 | 100 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Hydrologists salary questions
Which state pays hydrologists the most?
Maryland, with a median of $143,010 a year (+48% vs. the national median of $96,600). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays hydrologists the least?
South Carolina, with a median of $65,770 a year (−32% vs. national).
Where do most hydrologists work?
California has the most jobs, about 540, with a median of $122,110.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.