Hydrologist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Hydrologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $78,120 a year ($37.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,970 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,770. There are 0.05 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| 25th percentile | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Median | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| 75th percentile | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,970 | $81.24 |
| Average (mean) | $93,550 | $44.98 |
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 | $6,510 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,255 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,004.62 |
| Weekly | $1,502.31 |
| Hourly | $37.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Hydrologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $94,580 | 210 |
| Madison, WI | $81,310 | 60 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,280 | $36.68 |
| Physicist | $173,160 | $83.25 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Biological Technician | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,980 | $33.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $78,120 a year, or $37.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $168,970 a year. The top 25% earn $101,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,580 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $70,890 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 40 hydrologists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.