Hydrologists Salary
In Oregon, hydrologists earn $93,690 at the median, or about $45.04 an hour. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $91,458 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in Oregon?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Oregon
Hydrologists pay in Oregon tracks closely to the national median, $94K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 3% difference. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oregon
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $125K or more, a $57K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Oregon
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $114K | +21% | 80 |
| Bend | $91K | -3% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 28% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,082/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Oregon?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $94K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Oregon pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Oregon?
The median is $93,690 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,040, and experienced hydrologists can clear $124,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,552/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 28% 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 Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (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 $91,458 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.