Hydrologic Technicians Salary
In West Virginia, hydrologic technicians earn $48,230 at the median, or about $23.19 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $54,173 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,008/month, about 30.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of West Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $48K get you in West Virginia?
About hydrologic technicians
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for hydrologic technicians in West Virginia runs about 26% below the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level hydrologic technicians (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologic technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologic technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $48K, rent takes 30.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologic technicians in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologic technicians typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,413/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 West Virginia?
Local pay runs 26% below the national median — $48K here vs. $65K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for hydrologic technicians?
West Virginia pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -26%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologic technicians make in West Virginia?
The median is $48,230 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,210, and experienced hydrologic technicians can clear $81,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,264/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 30.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hydrologic technicians salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $54,173 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.