Hydrologist salary in Columbia, SC
Hydrologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $65,770 a year ($31.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $65,770. There are 0.24 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| 25th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| Median | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 75th percentile | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $73,940 | $35.55 |
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 | $5,480.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,740.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,529.62 |
| Weekly | $1,264.81 |
| Hourly | $31.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
See Hydrologist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| School Psychologist | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Conservation Scientist | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $45,990 | $22.11 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $65,770 a year, or $31.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $76,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,440 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $57,830 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 hydrologists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.