Hydrologist salary in Tucson, AZ
Hydrologists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $81,640 a year ($39.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,520 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 6% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $86,700. There are 0.21 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| 25th percentile | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Median | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| 75th percentile | $96,900 | $46.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| Average (mean) | $89,560 | $43.06 |
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 | $6,803.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,401.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,140 |
| Weekly | $1,570 |
| Hourly | $39.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $90,000 | 260 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $90,700 | $43.61 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| Physicist | $171,190 | $82.31 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| School Psychologist | $87,540 | $42.09 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Conservation Scientist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $81,640 a year, or $39.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $114,520 a year. The top 25% earn $96,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,700 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $66,410 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 80 hydrologists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.