Hydrologist salary
From 158 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-2043: Hydrologists
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 53% of Hydrologist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 34% since FY2020. From $60,502 in FY2020 to $80,966 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Hydrologist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 158 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Hydrologist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-2043, Hydrologists). The median base salary is $78,966, 36% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $65,000 and $94,033. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 53% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 53% of filings
Mid-level · 32% of filings
Senior · 15% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $65,000 | 70 |
| Level II · Qualified | $80,000 | 43 |
| Level III · Experienced | $95,185 | 20 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Hydrologist does
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Typical tasks
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
- Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Hydrologists (19-2043.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Hydrologists), the median annual wage was $96,600 in May 2025, with 5,850 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $78,966, 18% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,923 | $64,020 |
| 25th percentile | $65,000 | $77,210 |
| Median | $78,966 | $96,600 |
| 75th percentile | $94,033 | $122,830 |
| 90th percentile | $104,592 | $153,130 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $56,923 |
| 25th | $65,000 |
| 50th (median) | $78,966 |
| 75th | $94,033 |
| 90th | $104,592 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $60,502 | $53,934 | $76,846 | 70 |
| FY2021 | $61,795 | $56,284 | $76,393 | 76 |
| FY2022 | $68,624 | $59,000 | $84,650 | 54 |
| FY2023 | $69,753 | $60,855 | $79,500 | 54 |
| FY2024 | $75,515 | $65,000 | $95,267 | 76 |
| FY2025 | $75,764 | $65,000 | $92,664 | 104 |
| FY2026 | $80,966 | $66,186 | $94,453 | 54 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Hydrologist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Hydrologist jobs is $78,966 (158 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $65,000 and $94,033.
What does an entry-level Hydrologist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $65,000. Level I accounts for 53% of Hydrologist filings.
Do H-1B Hydrologists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($78,966) is 18% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($96,600, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.