Hydrologists Salary
In Arizona, hydrologists earn $86,700 at the median, or about $41.68 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $89,928 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,437/month, or 25.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $87K get you in Arizona?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Arizona
Hydrologists pay in Arizona tracks closely to the national median, $87K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,437/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Arizona
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $90K | +4% | 260 |
| Tucson | $82K | -6% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
Yes — at the median salary of $87K, rent takes 25.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,882/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hydrologist a high-paying job in Arizona?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $87K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Arizona pays $87K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $90K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Arizona?
The median is $86,700 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,700, and experienced hydrologists can clear $160,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,601/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 25.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hydrologists salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (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 hydrologists salary is worth about $89,928 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hydrologists 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.