Hydrologist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Hydrologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $128,320 a year ($61.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,590 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 1% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $126,680. There are 0.15 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,090, close to the median.
Pay range for hydrologists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| 25th percentile | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Median | $128,320 | $61.69 |
| 75th percentile | $135,760 | $65.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,590 | $72.88 |
| Average (mean) | $120,090 | $57.73 |
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 | $10,693.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,346.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,935.38 |
| Weekly | $2,467.69 |
| Hourly | $61.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $88,100 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $85,540 | 70 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Chemist | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,840 | $56.65 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Materials Scientist | $117,650 | $56.56 |
| Physicist | $135,030 | $64.92 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $133,870 | $64.36 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Biological Technician | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,670 | $26.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $128,850 | $61.95 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $128,320 a year, or $61.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $151,590 a year. The top 25% earn $135,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,400 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $95,830 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 40 hydrologists are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.