Hydrologist salary in South Carolina
Hydrologists in South Carolina earn a median of $65,770 a year ($31.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $96,600. South Carolina ranks 34th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.04 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| 25th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| Median | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 75th percentile | $78,510 | $37.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $74,660 | $35.89 |
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 | $5,480.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,740.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,529.62 |
| Weekly | $1,264.81 |
| Hourly | $31.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $65,770 | 100 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Physicist | $138,400 | $66.54 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Materials Scientist | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| School Psychologist | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Biological Technician | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,810 | $36.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for hydrologists in South Carolina is $65,770 a year, or $31.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of hydrologists in South Carolina earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $78,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,830 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $57,830 or less.
How many hydrologists work in South Carolina?
About 100 hydrologists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.