Hydrologists
Hydrologists (SOC 19-2043) earn a median $96,600 a year ($46.44 an hour) in the United States, with 5,850 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Maryland.
What hydrologists do
Hydrologists study how water moves through the environment: its distribution, circulation, and physical properties both above and below ground, as well as rainfall, how quickly it soaks into soil, how it moves through the earth, and how it returns to the ocean and atmosphere. Their findings bear on public water supplies, flood and drought risks, and water quality. Typical tasks include designing and conducting hydrogeological investigations, measuring and graphing phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volume, and preparing written and oral reports with illustrations, maps, and charts. They also conduct research and share information to support conservation and protection of water resources. The occupation differs from geoscientists, who study the solid Earth more broadly, from environmental scientists, who focus on pollution and hazards, and from civil and environmental engineers, who design water and drainage systems. They also coordinate and supervise professional and technical staff, and they apply research findings to limit the environmental effects of pollution and waterborne diseases.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a master's degree.
Also called: Hydrologist, Hydrogeologist, Groundwater Consultant, Hydrologic Engineer, Hydraulic Engineer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $30.78 | $37.12 | $46.44 | $59.06 | $73.62 | $49.81 | 5,850 |
| Annual | $64,020 | $77,210 | $96,600 | $122,830 | $153,130 | $103,600 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where hydrologists earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $40.67 | $54.71 | $68.75 | $84.51 | $90.99 | $70.18 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.83 |
| Annual | $84,590 | $113,800 | $143,010 | $175,780 | $189,260 | $145,970 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $29.80 | $38.71 | $63.50 | $65.70 | $75.36 | $57.33 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.25 |
| Annual | $61,990 | $80,520 | $132,080 | $136,660 | $156,750 | $119,240 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $36.93 | $52.88 | $60.90 | $71.34 | $84.85 | $61.28 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $76,810 | $109,990 | $126,680 | $148,380 | $176,480 | $127,450 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $36.59 | $45.02 | $58.71 | $68.51 | $87.19 | $59.10 | 540 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $76,110 | $93,640 | $122,110 | $142,500 | $181,360 | $122,940 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $41.34 | $49.56 | $58.57 | $64.29 | $74.96 | $58.67 | 30 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
| Annual | $85,990 | $103,080 | $121,830 | $133,720 | $155,920 | $122,030 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $36.59 | $45.02 | $58.71 | $68.51 | $87.19 | $59.10 | 540 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $76,110 | $93,640 | $122,110 | $142,500 | $181,360 | $122,940 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | $31.11 | $36.28 | $41.68 | $54.76 | $77.26 | $48.37 | 400 | 0.12 | 3.28 |
| Annual | $64,700 | $75,460 | $86,700 | $113,900 | $160,710 | $100,600 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $29.23 | $35.89 | $47.21 | $51.97 | $63.03 | $45.95 | 390 | 0.07 | 1.89 |
| Annual | $60,800 | $74,650 | $98,200 | $108,100 | $131,100 | $95,570 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $39.63 | $43.87 | $48.48 | $68.01 | $96.94 | $59.01 | 360 | 0.13 | 3.37 |
| Annual | $82,430 | $91,250 | $100,840 | $141,460 | $201,630 | $122,740 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $38.68 | $42.61 | $50.77 | $74.02 | $93.70 | $59.38 | 350 | 0.10 | 2.62 |
| Annual | $80,450 | $88,630 | $105,600 | $153,960 | $194,900 | $123,510 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $50.82 | $58.98 | $73.43 | $90.73 | $100.51 | $73.57 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.41 |
| Annual | $105,710 | $122,670 | $152,730 | $188,710 | $209,060 | $153,030 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $42.30 | $53.63 | $70.71 | $79.33 | $90.53 | $68.49 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $87,980 | $111,540 | $147,080 | $165,000 | $188,300 | $142,450 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $48.77 | $58.71 | $68.58 | $82.21 | $98.71 | $71.72 | 30 | 0.03 | 0.72 |
| Annual | $101,440 | $122,110 | $142,640 | $171,010 | $205,320 | $149,180 | ||||
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Hourly | $40.62 | $54.71 | $66.36 | $84.51 | $84.51 | $67.25 | 50 | 0.04 | 1.00 |
| Annual | $84,490 | $113,800 | $138,020 | $175,780 | $175,780 | $139,870 | ||||
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | Hourly | $35.77 | $46.07 | $61.69 | $65.27 | $72.88 | $57.73 | 40 | 0.15 | 4.04 |
| Annual | $74,400 | $95,830 | $128,320 | $135,760 | $151,590 | $120,090 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | Hourly | $33.65 | $36.45 | $43.27 | $57.94 | $83.40 | $50.98 | 260 | 0.11 | 2.92 |
| Annual | $70,000 | $75,810 | $90,000 | $120,520 | $173,470 | $106,040 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | $32.99 | $36.89 | $45.47 | $50.69 | $60.38 | $45.80 | 210 | 0.11 | 2.90 |
| Annual | $68,620 | $76,730 | $94,580 | $105,440 | $125,590 | $95,260 | ||||
| Columbus, OH | Hourly | $30.29 | $36.19 | $47.21 | $52.90 | $63.44 | $46.66 | 170 | 0.15 | 4.08 |
| Annual | $63,000 | $75,280 | $98,200 | $110,030 | $131,960 | $97,050 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $40.11 | $42.27 | $52.25 | $68.01 | $96.94 | $58.40 | 140 | 0.09 | 2.36 |
| Annual | $83,440 | $87,920 | $108,680 | $141,470 | $201,630 | $121,470 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 140 | 0.07 | 1.81 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
Top industries employing hydrologists
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) employ 26.3% of hydrologists nationally (1,540 jobs) at a median $104,770 a year ($50.37 an hour), followed by State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (26.0%) and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (19.8%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 1,540 | 26.3% | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 1,520 | 26.0% | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services NAICS 541600 | 1,160 | 19.8% | $106,950 | $51.42 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 730 | 12.5% | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services NAICS 541300 | 520 | 8.9% | $99,990 | $48.07 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (5,850). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $84,030 for hydrologists in May 2021 and $96,600 in May 2025, with employment of 6,390 and 5,850.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $84,030 | $40.40 | 6,390 |
| May 2022 | $85,990 | $41.34 | 6,270 |
| May 2023 | $88,770 | $42.68 | 6,150 |
| May 2024 | $92,060 | $44.26 | 5,720 |
| May 2025 | $96,600 | $46.44 | 5,850 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
35 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland profile | $68.75 | $143,010 | $84,590 | $189,260 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.83 |
| 2 | Virginia profile | $63.50 | $132,080 | $61,990 | $156,750 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.25 |
| 3 | New Jersey profile | $60.90 | $126,680 | $76,810 | $176,480 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | California profile | $58.71 | $122,110 | $76,110 | $181,360 | 540 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| 5 | Georgia profile | $58.57 | $121,830 | $85,990 | $155,920 | 30 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
| 6 | Massachusetts profile | $57.38 | $119,350 | $71,510 | $155,150 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.38 |
| 7 | Missouri profile | $55.82 | $116,100 | $73,920 | $136,990 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.43 |
| 8 | Alaska profile | $52.24 | $108,660 | $73,690 | $132,770 | 60 | 0.17 | 4.55 |
| 9 | Nevada profile | $51.89 | $107,930 | $77,570 | $164,980 | 170 | 0.11 | 2.94 |
| 10 | Washington profile | $50.77 | $105,600 | $80,450 | $194,900 | 350 | 0.10 | 2.62 |
| 11 | Louisiana profile | $50.25 | $104,520 | $74,480 | $184,290 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Michigan profile | $48.59 | $101,060 | $81,330 | $136,990 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| 13 | Colorado profile | $48.48 | $100,840 | $82,430 | $201,630 | 360 | 0.13 | 3.37 |
| 14 | Ohio profile | $47.21 | $98,200 | $60,800 | $131,100 | 390 | 0.07 | 1.89 |
| 15 | New Mexico profile | $46.86 | $97,470 | $63,660 | $131,370 | 100 | 0.11 | 2.96 |
| 16 | Oklahoma profile | $46.86 | $97,470 | $61,110 | $126,440 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.55 |
| 17 | Minnesota profile | $45.47 | $94,580 | $68,620 | $125,300 | 300 | 0.10 | 2.70 |
| 18 | Wyoming profile | $45.44 | $94,520 | $61,110 | $139,920 | 40 | 0.15 | 4.10 |
| 19 | Utah profile | $45.28 | $94,190 | $61,580 | $136,990 | 80 | 0.05 | 1.27 |
| 20 | Oregon profile | $45.04 | $93,690 | $68,040 | $124,900 | 300 | 0.15 | 4.06 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania profile | $44.10 | $91,730 | $45,300 | $141,070 | 160 | 0.03 | 0.70 |
| 22 | New York profile | $42.36 | $88,100 | $67,760 | $136,590 | 160 | 0.02 | 0.44 |
| 23 | Arizona profile | $41.68 | $86,700 | $64,700 | $160,710 | 400 | 0.12 | 3.28 |
| 24 | Vermont profile | $41.42 | $86,140 | $78,860 | $107,300 | 50 | 0.15 | 4.10 |
| 25 | Montana profile | $40.62 | $84,500 | $63,060 | $115,210 | 190 | 0.37 | 9.79 |
| 26 | Illinois profile | $40.25 | $83,720 | $59,070 | $133,430 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.45 |
| 27 | North Carolina profile | $39.31 | $81,770 | $64,320 | $111,050 | 150 | 0.03 | 0.80 |
| 28 | Iowa profile | $39.02 | $81,150 | $66,180 | $136,340 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.91 |
| 29 | Texas profile | $38.98 | $81,080 | $54,650 | $126,440 | 220 | 0.02 | 0.42 |
| 30 | Indiana profile | $38.80 | $80,700 | $60,790 | $116,270 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.42 |
| 31 | Idaho profile | $37.91 | $78,850 | $58,260 | $135,380 | 160 | 0.18 | 4.88 |
| 32 | Wisconsin profile | $37.87 | $78,770 | $65,290 | $115,920 | 150 | 0.05 | 1.37 |
| 33 | Florida profile | $36.95 | $76,850 | $58,620 | $119,670 | 280 | 0.03 | 0.74 |
| 34 | South Carolina profile | $31.62 | $65,770 | $57,830 | $115,210 | 100 | 0.04 | 1.17 |
| – | Tennessee profile | * | * | * | * | 150 | 0.05 | 1.18 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (19-2040), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 19-2043 Hydrologists.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 19-2043, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 19-2043.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.