Hydrologists Salary
In Texas, hydrologists earn $81,080 at the median, or about $38.98 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $88,622 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 26.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $81K get you in Texas?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Texas
Pay for hydrologists in Texas runs about 16% below the U.S. median of $97K. Rent runs $1,415/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% 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, Texas
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $126K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Texas
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $99K | +22% | 50 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $74K | -9% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 26% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,279/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Texas?
Local pay runs 16% below the national median — $81K here vs. $97K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Texas compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Texas pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Texas?
The median is $81,080 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,650, and experienced hydrologists can clear $126,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,452/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 26% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $88,622 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.