Hydrologist salary in Madison, WI
Hydrologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $81,310 a year ($39.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,770. There are 0.16 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| 25th percentile | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Median | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| 75th percentile | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $87,690 | $42.16 |
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 | $6,775.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,387.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,127.31 |
| Weekly | $1,563.65 |
| Hourly | $39.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $94,580 | 210 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,120 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $107,970 | $51.91 |
| Physicist | $136,450 | $65.60 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,520 | $40.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $95,580 | $45.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,030 | $22.61 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Madison, WI metro area is $81,310 a year, or $39.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $97,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,200 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $75,360 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Madison, WI?
About 60 hydrologists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.