Hydrologists Salary
In Massachusetts, hydrologists earn $119,350 at the median, or about $57.38 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $119,243 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Massachusetts. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $119K get you in Massachusetts?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for hydrologists, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) 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, Massachusetts
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K. Top earners bring in $155K or more, a $84K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $119K, rent takes 32.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,291/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 Massachusetts?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $119K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Massachusetts pays $119K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Massachusetts?
The median is $119,350 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,510, and experienced hydrologists can clear $155,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,197/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 32.6% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hydrologists salary is worth about $119,243 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.