Hydrologists Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $107,440 +16.7% vs national
Median hourly $51.66
10th percentile $76,170
90th percentile $155,370
Employed locally 110
National median $92,060

Compare Hydrologists salary & buying power

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

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Hydrologists
in
Seattle, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,170
    25th
    $88,390
    50th (median)
    $107,440
    75th
    $149,870
    90th
    $155,370

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Hydrologists salary vs area income 95% Median Hydrologists salary is 5% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $138,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $107,980
    Washington $100,000
    Hawaii $95,000
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $90,610
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $86,090

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $101,500
    Biological Technicians $58,090
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $98,950
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $99,680
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,410
    Biological Scientists, All Other $98,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Hydrologists make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Hydrologists in Seattle, WA is $51.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.70 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Hydrologists salaries?

    The median Hydrologists salary in Seattle, WA is 16.7% above 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Hydrologists (10th percentile) earn around $76,170 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $88,390.