How Much Does a Hydrogeologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$96,600
Hydrogeologists in the U.S. earn a median of $96,600 a year, or $46.44 an hour. Half of hydrogeologists earn more than $96,600 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $153,130.
Pay percentiles for hydrogeologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30.78 | $64,020 |
| 25th | $37.12 | $77,210 |
| 50th (median) | $46.44 | $96,600 |
| 75th | $59.06 | $122,830 |
| 90th | $73.62 | $153,130 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Hydrologists (SOC 19-2043). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for hydrogeologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 | $68.75 | +48% |
| Virginia | $132,080 | $63.50 | +37% |
| New Jersey | $126,680 | $60.90 | +31% |
| California | $122,110 | $58.71 | +26% |
| Georgia | $121,830 | $58.57 | +26% |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 | $57.38 | +24% |
| Missouri | $116,100 | $55.82 | +20% |
| Alaska | $108,660 | $52.24 | +12% |
| Nevada | $107,930 | $51.89 | +12% |
| Washington | $105,600 | $50.77 | +9% |
| United States | $96,600 | $46.44 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many hydrogeologists are there?
BLS counts about 5,850 hydrogeologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Hydrologists”. The most jobs are in California (540), Arizona (400) and Ohio (390).
The mean (average) annual wage is $103,600, higher than the median of $96,600.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,050
- Biweekly
- $3,715
- Weekly
- $1,858
- Daily (8 hours)
- $372
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do hydrogeologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for hydrogeologists is $46.44. The middle 50% earn between $37.12 and $59.06 an hour.
Which state pays hydrogeologists the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for hydrogeologists at $143,010, +48% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for hydrogeologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of hydrogeologists earn less than $64,020 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.