Hydrologic Technicians Salary
In Kentucky, hydrologic technicians earn $65,170 at the median, or about $31.33 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $72,227 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Kentucky. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $65K get you in Kentucky?
About hydrologic technicians
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Hydrologic technicians pay in Kentucky tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $65K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,110/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level hydrologic technicians (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $51K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologic technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologic technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 25.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologic technicians in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologic technicians typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,697/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hydrologic technician a high-paying job in Kentucky?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $65K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for hydrologic technicians?
Kentucky pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologic technicians make in Kentucky?
The median is $65,170 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,950, and experienced hydrologic technicians can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,302/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 25.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hydrologic technicians salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hydrologic technicians salary is worth about $72,227 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hydrologic technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.