Hydrologists Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $61,240 -33.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.44
10th percentile $45,620
90th percentile $100,680
Employed locally 100
National median $92,060

Compare Hydrologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Hydrologists
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,620
    25th
    $52,340
    50th (median)
    $61,240
    75th
    $73,690
    90th
    $100,680

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Hydrologists salary vs area income 93% Median Hydrologists salary is 7% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Hydrologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $138,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $137,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,090
    Maryland $134,410
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $134,410
    Virginia $125,900

    Nearby metros — Hydrologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $137,270
    Wisconsin $76,460

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $53,960
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $77,890
    Chemical Technicians $61,320
    School Psychologists $77,080
    Chemists $65,450
    Social Science Research Assistants $69,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Hydrologists make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Hydrologists in Columbia, SC is $29.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.39 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Hydrologists salaries?

    The median Hydrologists salary in Columbia, SC is 33.5% below the national median of $92,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Hydrologists in Columbia?

    Entry-level Hydrologists (10th percentile) earn around $45,620 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,340.