Hydrologist salary in Montana
Hydrologists in Montana earn a median of $84,500 a year ($40.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $96,600. Montana ranks 25th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.37 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| 25th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Median | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| 75th percentile | $104,740 | $50.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $92,840 | $44.63 |
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 | $7,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,520.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,250 |
| Weekly | $1,625 |
| Hourly | $40.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $86,260 | 50 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Materials Scientist | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| Physicist | $103,800 | $49.90 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for hydrologists in Montana is $84,500 a year, or $40.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Montana?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Montana earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $104,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,060 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $81,330 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Montana?
About 190 hydrologists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.