Hydrologist salary in North Carolina
Hydrologists in North Carolina earn a median of $81,770 a year ($39.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,050 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $96,600. North Carolina ranks 27th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.03 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $86,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| 25th percentile | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Median | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| 75th percentile | $106,090 | $51.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Average (mean) | $86,330 | $41.51 |
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 | $6,814.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,407.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,145 |
| Weekly | $1,572.50 |
| Hourly | $39.31 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Physicist | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for hydrologists in North Carolina is $81,770 a year, or $39.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of hydrologists in North Carolina earn at least $111,050 a year. The top 25% earn $106,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,320 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $68,900 or less.
How many hydrologists work in North Carolina?
About 150 hydrologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.