Hydrologist salary in Virginia
Hydrologists in Virginia earn a median of $132,080 a year ($63.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $96,600. Virginia ranks 2nd of 34 states for hydrologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $119,240, close to the median.
Pay range for hydrologists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| 25th percentile | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| Median | $132,080 | $63.50 |
| 75th percentile | $136,660 | $65.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Average (mean) | $119,240 | $57.33 |
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 | $11,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,080 |
| Weekly | $2,540 |
| Hourly | $63.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $152,730 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Chemist | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Physicist | $145,040 | $69.73 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $83,880 | $40.33 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Materials Scientist | $124,150 | $59.69 |
| Astronomer | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,030 | $41.36 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for hydrologists in Virginia is $132,080 a year, or $63.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Virginia earn at least $156,750 a year. The top 25% earn $136,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,990 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $80,520 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Virginia?
About 40 hydrologists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.