SALARY GUIDE

What Do Hydrologists Earn?

Explore average salaries, regional differences, and long‑term earning potential for water‑resource professionals.

Salary Overview

Compare salaries across experience levels and countries

Entry Level
$55,000 – $65,000
0‑2 years experience
Mid‑Career
$80,000 – $95,000
5‑10 years experience
Senior
$110,000 – $130,000
15+ years experience
Top 10%
$150,000+
High performers
Average Salary by Country
United States$71,000
CanadaCA$80,000
United Kingdom£35,000
AustraliaAU$90,000
Germany€55,000
India₹600,000

40‑Year Career Salary Projection

See how your earning potential grows throughout your career

0y10y20y30y40y$60k$80k$100kYears of Experience

Top Paying Industries

Compare average salaries across sectors

Salary by Industry
Environmental consulting$78,000
Government agencies (e.g., EPA, USGS)$72,000
Water utilities & management$80,000
Oil & gas exploration$85,000
Academic & research institutions$70,000

Salary by Specialization

Explore earning potential in different areas

Groundwater modeling
$85,000
Average annual salary
Flood risk assessment
$80,000
Average annual salary
Climate‑change impact analysis
$88,000
Average annual salary
Water‑quality monitoring
$75,000
Average annual salary
Hydrogeology (mineral exploration)
$90,000
Average annual salary
Key Factors Affecting Salary
  • Geographic location and cost‑of‑living
  • Level of education (M.S. vs Ph.D.)
  • Years of experience and leadership responsibilities
  • Industry sector and project complexity
  • Professional certifications and technical skillsets

Certification Impact

Boost your earning potential with professional certifications

Certified Hydrologist (CH)
+8%
Salary increase potential
Professional Engineer (PE)
+10%
Salary increase potential
GIS Professional (GISP)
+5%
Salary increase potential
Certified Water Resources Engineer (CWRE)
+7%
Salary increase potential

Global Market Insights

Understand the worldwide salary landscape

Highest Paying
United States
Fastest Growing
India
Most Stable
Canada
Job Market Outlook

The demand for hydrologists is projected to grow 9% through 2030, driven by climate‑change adaptation, water‑resource management, and infrastructure resilience projects. Opportunities are expanding in both the public sector and private consulting, with higher salaries tied to advanced modeling expertise and interdisciplinary certifications.

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