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Hydrologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$96,600median pay per year, or $46.44 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $64,020lowest 10% earn less
  2. $77,21025th percentile
  3. $96,600median
  4. $122,83075th percentile
  5. $153,130top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median hydrologist earned $96,600 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS expects jobs to rise 1.5% by 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.5%[2]
Openings per year
400[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do hydrologists make?

The median pay for hydrologists was $96,600 a year, or $46.44 an hour[1]. Half of workers made more than that and half made less. The average was $103,600 a year, or $49.81 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $64,020 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $153,130[3]. A percentile is a boundary line, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][9] $64,020 $30.78
25th percentile[3][9] $77,210 $37.12
Median[1] $96,600 $46.44
75th percentile[3][9] $122,830 $59.06
90th percentile[3][9] $153,130 $73.62

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses outside regular production pay or the cost of benefits[10]. About 5,850 people held hydrologist jobs under this count[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 34 states with published data, Maryland had the highest median at $143,010[12]. Virginia followed at $132,080 and New Jersey at $126,680[12]. South Carolina had the lowest at $65,770[12]. Some of these figures rest on very small job counts, such as 30 or 40 jobs in a state[12].

By metro area, Denver-Aurora-Centennial had the highest median at $108,680[13]. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom came next at $106,860[13], then Columbus at $98,200[13].

The most jobs were in California (540), Arizona (400) and Ohio (390)[14]. Among metro areas, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler had the most at 260[15], then Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington at 210[15] and Columbus at 170[15].

Show median pay in 34 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maryland[12]$143,01090
Virginia$132,08040
New Jersey$126,680n/a
California$122,110540
Georgia$121,83030
Massachusetts$119,35050
Missouri$116,10050
Alaska$108,66060
Nevada$107,930170
Washington$105,600350
Louisiana$104,520n/a
Michigan$101,06040
Colorado$100,840360
Ohio$98,200390
New Mexico$97,470100
Oklahoma$97,47040
Minnesota$94,580300
Wyoming$94,52040
Utah$94,19080
Oregon$93,690300
Pennsylvania$91,730160
New York$88,100160
Arizona$86,700400
Vermont$86,14050
Montana$84,500190
Illinois$83,720100
North Carolina$81,770150
Iowa$81,15050
Texas$81,080220
Indiana$80,70050
Idaho$78,850160
Wisconsin$78,770150
Florida$76,850280
South Carolina$65,770100

How to become a hydrologist

BLS lists this path into the job[6]:

Some employers prefer to hire people with a master's degree[17]. Science programs in this area usually include coursework in math, statistics and the sciences. Students may also do internships to get hands-on experience before looking for work[18].

Where a state licenses geologists, it may encourage hydrologists to get licensed too[19].

What hydrologists do

Hydrologists study how water moves above and below ground, including rainfall and how it soaks into the soil[20]. Tasks include:

OOH names analytical, communication, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as important[21][22][23][24]. Working in the field may call for physical stamina, such as hiking to remote sites with equipment[25]. O*NET sample titles include hydrogeologist and groundwater consultant[26].

Where they work

Hydrologists work in an office and in the field. Field trips can take them to lakes, streams and other sites, sometimes abroad, and fieldwork may happen outdoors in any weather[27]. Full-time work is typical, and some people work more than 40 hours a week, especially during fieldwork[28]. The federal government was the largest employer, with 26% of jobs in 2025[29].

Job outlook

BLS expects hydrologist jobs to rise 1.5% between 2025 and 2035[2]. That means about 100 more jobs, taking the total from roughly 6,300 to 6,400[2]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[30]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, who made up 2.1% of the group in 2025[31].

About 400 openings a year are projected[5]. They include jobs that open when people leave the field, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.7% of hydrologists are projected to leave the labor force and 4.8% to move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay well above the all-occupations median of $50,980, with a hydrologist median of $96,600[1][4]. Entry needs a bachelor's degree, and some employers prefer a master's[6][17]. Growth of 1.5% is below the 3.5% for all occupations, and the field is small, so openings are limited to about 400 a year[2][30][5]. The job mixes office work with fieldwork that can be outdoors in any weather[27].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a hydrologist make an hour?
The median was $46.44 an hour in May 2025[1]. The average was $49.81[7].
What degree do you need to be a hydrologist?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree, typically in geology, hydrology or a related physical science. Some employers prefer a master's degree[6][17].
What is the highest paying state for hydrologists?
Maryland, with a median of $143,010 a year[12].
Is hydrology in demand?
BLS expects employment to rise 1.5% between 2025 and 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][30]. About 400 openings are projected each year[5].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Hydrologists in the US was $96,600 per year and $46.44 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Hydrologists is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,300 to 6,400 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Hydrologists: 10th percentile $64,020, 25th percentile $77,210, 75th percentile $122,830, 90th percentile $153,130. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Hydrologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Hydrologists: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Hydrologists was $103,600 per year and $49.81 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Hydrologists: 10th percentile $30.78, 25th percentile $37.12, 75th percentile $59.06, 90th percentile $73.62. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 5,850 people were employed as Hydrologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Hydrologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Hydrologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $108,680; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $106,860; Columbus, OH $98,200; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $94,580; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $90,000; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $88,100; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $73,810; Columbia, SC $65,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Hydrologists jobs: California 540; Arizona 400; Ohio 390; Colorado 360; Washington 350. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Hydrologists jobs: Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 260 (median $90,000); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 210 (median $94,580); Columbus, OH 170 (median $98,200); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 140 (median $108,680); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 140; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 130 (median $88,100). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET description of Hydrologists. O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 19-2043.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Research Hydrologic Engineer, Research Hydrologist, Source Water Protection Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of hydrologists in 2025: Federal government, excluding postal service 26%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 2.1% of Hydrologists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Hydrologists: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.