Hydrologist salary in Colorado
Hydrologists in Colorado earn a median of $100,840 a year ($48.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $96,600. Colorado ranks 13th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.13 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,430 | $39.63 |
| 25th percentile | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| Median | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| 75th percentile | $141,460 | $68.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,630 | $96.94 |
| Average (mean) | $122,740 | $59.01 |
Half of hydrologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,403.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,201.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,878.46 |
| Weekly | $1,939.23 |
| Hourly | $48.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $108,680 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for hydrologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $143,010 |
| Virginia | $132,080 |
| New Jersey | $126,680 |
| California | $122,110 |
| Georgia | $121,830 |
| Massachusetts | $119,350 |
| Missouri | $116,100 |
| Alaska | $108,660 |
| Nevada | $107,930 |
| Washington | $105,600 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Conservation Scientist | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hydrologist make in Colorado?
The median salary for hydrologists in Colorado is $100,840 a year, or $48.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Colorado earn at least $201,630 a year. The top 25% earn $141,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,430 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $91,250 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Colorado?
About 360 hydrologists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.