Hydrologists Salary in Madison, WI
In Madison, WI, hydrologists earn $79,440 at the median — $38.19 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $114K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.29), that's roughly $81,653 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,168/month, or 22.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $79K get you in Madison?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Madison’s Regional Price Parity (97.29). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About hydrologists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Madison, WI
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $114K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $134K | +46% | 70 |
| Virginia | $126K | +37% | 40 |
| California | $119K | +29% | 670 |
| Massachusetts | $117K | +27% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $116K | +26% | 70 |
| Michigan | $112K | +22% | 30 |
| Missouri | $110K | +19% | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $104K | +13% | 30 |
| Washington | $100K | +9% | 270 |
| North Dakota | $98K | +7% | 30 |
| Nevada | $97K | +6% | 180 |
| New Mexico | $97K | +5% | 110 |
| Louisiana | $96K | +4% | N/A |
| Hawaii | $95K | +3% | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $94K | +2% | 230 |
| Ohio | $94K | +2% | 260 |
| Oregon | $93K | +1% | 280 |
| Wyoming | $92K | -0% | 50 |
| Minnesota | $91K | -2% | 300 |
| Utah | $89K | -3% | 100 |
| Alabama | $87K | -6% | 30 |
| Iowa | $85K | -8% | 50 |
| New York | $84K | -8% | 180 |
| Indiana | $83K | -10% | 50 |
| Vermont | $82K | -10% | N/A |
| Montana | $81K | -12% | 170 |
| Illinois | $80K | -13% | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | -17% | 170 |
| Arizona | $76K | -17% | 320 |
| Texas | $76K | -17% | 250 |
| Idaho | $75K | -19% | 170 |
| Florida | $71K | -23% | 250 |
| South Carolina | $61K | -33% | 110 |
Showing 1–10 of 33 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Madison numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do hydrologists make in Madison, WI?
The median is $79,440 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,050, and experienced hydrologists can clear $113,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Madison?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,092/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,168/month, which eats 22.9% 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 Madison?
Madison has a Regional Price Parity of 97.29 (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 $81,653 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.