Hydrologists Salary
In Michigan, hydrologists earn $101,060 at the median, or about $48.59 an hour. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $107,637 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,272/month, or 19.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Michigan. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $101K get you in Michigan?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Michigan
Hydrologists pay in Michigan tracks closely to the national median, $101K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,272/month, 20.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (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, Michigan
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 20.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,880/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is hydrologist a high-paying job in Michigan?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $101K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Michigan pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $108K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Michigan?
The median is $101,060 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,330, and experienced hydrologists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,266/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 20.3% 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 Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (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 $107,637 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.