Hydrologist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Hydrologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $108,680 a year ($52.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,630 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 8% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $100,840. There are 0.09 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,440 | $40.11 |
| 25th percentile | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Median | $108,680 | $52.25 |
| 75th percentile | $141,470 | $68.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,630 | $96.94 |
| Average (mean) | $121,470 | $58.40 |
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 | $9,056.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,528.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,180 |
| Weekly | $2,090 |
| Hourly | $52.25 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $140,980 | $67.78 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physicist | $166,140 | $79.88 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,440 | $41.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Epidemiologist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $87,170 | $41.91 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $108,680 a year, or $52.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $201,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $201,630 a year. The top 25% earn $141,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,440 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $87,920 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 140 hydrologists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.