Hydrologist salary in Columbus, OH
Hydrologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $98,200 a year ($47.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,960 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is about the same as the Ohio statewide median of $98,200. There are 0.15 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,050, close to the median.
Pay range for hydrologists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| 25th percentile | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Median | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| 75th percentile | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,960 | $63.44 |
| Average (mean) | $97,050 | $46.66 |
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 | $8,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,091.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,776.92 |
| Weekly | $1,888.46 |
| Hourly | $47.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | $99,470 | n/a |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Materials Scientist | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Physicist | $170,400 | $81.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Biological Technician | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,940 | $31.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $98,200 a year, or $47.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $131,960 a year. The top 25% earn $110,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,000 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $75,280 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Columbus, OH?
About 170 hydrologists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.