Hydrologists Salary
In Florida, hydrologists earn $76,850 at the median, or about $36.95 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.58), that's roughly $77,957 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,658/month, about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Florida?
About hydrologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Florida
Pay for hydrologists in Florida runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $1,658/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.58) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $120K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Florida
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $80K | +5% | 60 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $77K | +0% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Florida?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,658/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Florida?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,517/month. At HUD’s $1,658/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 Florida?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $77K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Florida compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Florida pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.58), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Florida?
The median is $76,850 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,620, and experienced hydrologists can clear $119,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,204/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 31.9% 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 hydrologists salary go in Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 98.58 (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 $77,957 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.