Hydrologist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hydrologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $152,730 a year ($73.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,060 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $96,600. Pay here is 16% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $132,080. There are 0.01 hydrologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $153,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hydrologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,710 | $50.82 |
| 25th percentile | $122,670 | $58.98 |
| Median | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| 75th percentile | $188,710 | $90.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,060 | $100.51 |
| Average (mean) | $153,030 | $73.57 |
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 | $12,727.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,363.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,874.23 |
| Weekly | $2,937.12 |
| Hourly | $73.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $152,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $138,020 | 50 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Chemist | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Physicist | $171,580 | $82.49 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Astronomer | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for hydrologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $152,730 a year, or $73.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hydrologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of hydrologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $209,060 a year. The top 25% earn $188,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for hydrologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,710 a year, and a quarter of hydrologists earn $122,670 or less.
How many hydrologists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 50 hydrologists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.