Hydrologist salary in Iowa
Hydrologists in Iowa earn a median of $81,150 a year ($39.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,340 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $96,600. Iowa ranks 28th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.03 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| 25th percentile | $66,180 | $31.82 |
| Median | $81,150 | $39.02 |
| 75th percentile | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,340 | $65.55 |
| Average (mean) | $90,730 | $43.62 |
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 | $6,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,381.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,121.15 |
| Weekly | $1,560.58 |
| Hourly | $39.02 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Physicist | $178,110 | $85.63 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $74,460 | $35.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,020 | $25.01 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for hydrologists in Iowa is $81,150 a year, or $39.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Iowa earn at least $136,340 a year. The top 25% earn $108,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,180 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $66,180 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Iowa?
About 50 hydrologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.