Hydrologist salary in Pennsylvania
Hydrologists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $91,730 a year ($44.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,070 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pennsylvania ranks 21st 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 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $93,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| 25th percentile | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Median | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| 75th percentile | $117,330 | $56.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,070 | $67.82 |
| Average (mean) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
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 | $7,644.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,822.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,528.08 |
| Weekly | $1,764.04 |
| Hourly | $44.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $85,540 | 70 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,780 | $64.80 |
| Physicist | $210,990 | $101.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Materials Scientist | $106,920 | $51.41 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for hydrologists in Pennsylvania is $91,730 a year, or $44.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Pennsylvania earn at least $141,070 a year. The top 25% earn $117,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,300 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $61,490 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Pennsylvania?
About 160 hydrologists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.