Hydrologist salary in Wisconsin
Hydrologists in Wisconsin earn a median of $78,770 a year ($37.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $96,600. Wisconsin ranks 32nd of 34 states for hydrologists pay. There are 0.05 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| 25th percentile | $72,070 | $34.65 |
| Median | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| 75th percentile | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $86,040 | $41.37 |
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 | $6,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,029.62 |
| Weekly | $1,514.81 |
| Hourly | $37.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hydrologist salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $94,580 | 210 |
| Madison, WI | $81,310 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,120 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,870 | $41.29 |
| Physicist | $173,120 | $83.23 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,700 | $66.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,750 | $40.74 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| School Psychologist | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,360 | $54.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,440 | $28.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for hydrologists in Wisconsin is $78,770 a year, or $37.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of hydrologists in Wisconsin earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $88,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,290 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $72,070 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Wisconsin?
About 150 hydrologists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.