Hydrologists Salary
In Maryland, hydrologists earn $143,010 at the median, or about $68.75 an hour. The range runs from $85K at the entry level to $189K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $144,806 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,795/month, or 21.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maryland. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $143K get you in Maryland?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Maryland
Maryland sits well above the national pay line for hydrologists, local pay runs about 48% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,795/month, 21.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Maryland offers a genuinely strong financial position for hydrologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $85K. Mid-career wages sit at $143K. Top earners bring in $189K or more, a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Maryland
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $138K | -3% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
Yes — at the median salary of $143K, rent takes 21.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $85K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,075/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Maryland?
Local pay is 48% above the national median — $143K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Maryland pays $143K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +48%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $145K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Maryland?
The median is $143,010 a year, that works out to about $69 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $84,590, and experienced hydrologists can clear $189,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $143K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,478/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 21.2% 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 Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (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 $144,806 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.