Hydrologist salary in Helena, MT
Hydrologists in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $86,260 a year ($41.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 2% higher than the Montana statewide median of $84,500. There are 1.1 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 29.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| 25th percentile | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Median | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| 75th percentile | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $92,390 | $44.42 |
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 | $7,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,594.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,317.69 |
| Weekly | $1,658.85 |
| Hourly | $41.47 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $82,380 | $39.60 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,230 | $40.49 |
| Biological Technician | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Economist | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,290 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Helena, MT metro area is $86,260 a year, or $41.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $104,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,450 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $84,500 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Helena, MT?
About 50 hydrologists are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.