Hydrologist salary in Washington
Hydrologists in Washington earn a median of $105,600 a year ($50.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,900 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $96,600. Washington ranks 10th of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.10 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $123,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| 25th percentile | $88,630 | $42.61 |
| Median | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| 75th percentile | $153,960 | $74.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,900 | $93.70 |
| Average (mean) | $123,510 | $59.38 |
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 | $8,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,400 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,061.54 |
| Weekly | $2,030.77 |
| Hourly | $50.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $113,550 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $93,340 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Chemist | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $133,980 | $64.41 |
| Physicist | $134,790 | $64.81 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $94,400 | $45.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,110 | $51.97 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for hydrologists in Washington is $105,600 a year, or $50.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Washington?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Washington earn at least $194,900 a year. The top 25% earn $153,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,450 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $88,630 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Washington?
About 350 hydrologists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.