Bar chart showing Hydrologists salary percentiles in Iowa: 10th percentile $66,670, 25th percentile $66,670, median $84,880, 75th percentile $108,770, 90th percentile $139,400. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
The median is $84,880 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,670, and experienced hydrologists can clear $139,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Iowa?▼
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,307/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 20% 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 Iowa?▼
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hydrologists salary is worth about $95,521 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.
