Hydrologists Salary
In Illinois, hydrologists earn $83,720 at the median, or about $40.25 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $133K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $89,206 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 26.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Illinois. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $84K get you in Illinois?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Illinois
Pay for hydrologists in Illinois runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Illinois
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $133K or more, a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 26.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,544/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Illinois?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $84K here vs. $97K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Illinois pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Illinois?
The median is $83,720 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,070, and experienced hydrologists can clear $133,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,262/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 26.7% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $89,206 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.