Hydrologist salary in Illinois
Hydrologists in Illinois earn a median of $83,720 a year ($40.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,430 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $96,600. Illinois ranks 26th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.02 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $92,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| 25th percentile | $67,590 | $32.49 |
| Median | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| 75th percentile | $110,110 | $52.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Average (mean) | $92,640 | $44.54 |
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 | $6,976.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,488.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,220 |
| Weekly | $1,610 |
| Hourly | $40.25 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Physicist | $137,140 | $65.93 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $108,970 | $52.39 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $96,950 | $46.61 |
| Materials Scientist | $125,850 | $60.50 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Microbiologist | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for hydrologists in Illinois is $83,720 a year, or $40.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Illinois earn at least $133,430 a year. The top 25% earn $110,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,070 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $67,590 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Illinois?
About 100 hydrologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.