Hydrologists Salary
In Utah, hydrologists earn $94,190 at the median, or about $45.28 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.54), that's roughly $95,586 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,350/month, or 22.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Utah. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in Utah?
About hydrologists
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What this looks like in Utah
Hydrologists pay in Utah tracks closely to the national median, $94K locally vs. $97K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,350/month, 23.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.54) 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, Utah
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $75K spread from bottom to top.
Hydrologists salary by metro in Utah
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $94K | +0% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Utah numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utah?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 23.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,350/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Utah?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,695/month. At HUD’s $1,350/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Utah?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $94K locally vs. $97K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Utah compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Utah pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $96K — below the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Utah?
The median is $94,190 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,580, and experienced hydrologists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Utah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,856/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,350/month, which eats 23.1% 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 Utah?
Utah has a Regional Price Parity of 98.54 (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 $95,586 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.