How Much Does a Hydrogeologist Salary Make? (2025)
The role of a hydrogeologist has become increasingly popular as communities strive to secure clean water resources, protect groundwater storage, and manage surface water systems. With growing concerns about water quality, environmental security, and the connection between geology and human development, understanding the hydrogeologist salary is key for career decisions in this field.
The average base salary for a hydrogeologist is approximately $112,700 per year, according to Salary.com recent report. This guide reviews the salary of a hydrogeologist and the key factors that influence earnings.
What is the Average Hydrogeologist Salary?
As of August 22, 2025, a hydrogeologist reported a yearly salary of $112,700 per year. Salaries typically range between $92,640 and $138,109, depending on factors such as experience, employment location, industry, and specific job responsibilities.
Hydrogeologist Salary: $112,700 per year ($54 per hour)
According to Salary.com, the average monthly salary for hydrogeologists is about $9,392, with a weekly salary of approximately $2,167. The hourly wage for this role averages around $54.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45 | $1,782 | $7,720 | $92,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $49 | $1,965 | $8,517 | $102,200 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $54 | $2,167 | $9,392 | $112,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $61 | $2,423 | $10,500 | $126,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $66 | $2,656 | $11,509 | $138,109 |
Hydrogeologist Salaries State by State
The hydrogeologist salary can vary significantly by state, influenced by local demand, cost of living, and the need for groundwater and water quality projects. Below is a table outlining the average annual salaries for hydrogeologists across U.S.
The District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for hydrogeologists at $124,800. On the lower end, Mississippi has the lowest average salary at $100,500, reflecting fewer large-scale geology and hydrology projects compared to other states.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $122,000 |
| Alabama | $103,500 |
| Arkansas | $101,800 |
| Arizona | $109,800 |
| California | $124,300 |
| Colorado | $115,000 |
| Connecticut | $120,400 |
| District of Columbia | $124,800 |
| Delaware | $114,100 |
| Florida | $106,600 |
| Georgia | $108,700 |
| Hawaii | $117,800 |
| Iowa | $107,900 |
| Idaho | $105,200 |
| Illinois | $114,900 |
| Indiana | $108,200 |
| Kansas | $107,300 |
| Kentucky | $106,000 |
| Louisiana | $107,200 |
| Massachusetts | $122,600 |
| Maryland | $116,200 |
| Maine | $109,900 |
| Michigan | $111,000 |
| Minnesota | $115,300 |
| Missouri | $107,100 |
| Mississippi | $100,500 |
| Montana | $106,400 |
| North Carolina | $107,100 |
| North Dakota | $111,300 |
| Nebraska | $106,200 |
| New Hampshire | $113,900 |
| New Jersey | $122,100 |
| New Mexico | $104,400 |
| Nevada | $111,500 |
| New York | $119,800 |
| Ohio | $109,700 |
| Oklahoma | $104,200 |
| Oregon | $114,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $112,200 |
| Rhode Island | $116,800 |
| South Carolina | $105,600 |
| South Dakota | $102,400 |
| Tennessee | $105,300 |
| Texas | $109,900 |
| Utah | $107,900 |
| Virginia | $113,500 |
| Vermont | $110,600 |
| Washington | $122,200 |
| Wisconsin | $110,900 |
| West Virginia | $101,500 |
| Wyoming | $108,100 |
Best-Paying Cities for Hydrogeologist?
Similar to other specialized geology and hydrology roles, the hydrogeologist salary can vary widely by location, influenced by the cost of living, demand for water quality projects, and industry employment needs.
For instance, San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY are among the top-paying locations for hydrogeologists, with salaries exceeding $130,000 per year.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $142,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | $140,700 |
| Oakland, CA | $137,600 |
| New York, NY | $130,600 |
| Queens Village, NY | $129,800 |
| Paramus, NJ | $128,800 |
How Experience Affects the Hydrogeologist Salary
Experience has a direct impact on hydrogeologist salaries, with pay steadily increasing as professionals take on more responsibilities and advanced roles. At the entry level, hydrogeologists earn about $107,999. With more experience, intermediate professionals make around $108,782.
Moving up, a senior hydrogeologist earns roughly $110,349. At the specialist level, salaries reach about $115,082. Finally, expert hydrogeologists command the highest average pay of $119,648.
| Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Hydrogeologist | $107,999 |
| Intermediate Level Hydrogeologist | $108,782 |
| Senior Level Hydrogeologist | $110,349 |
| Specialist Level Hydrogeologist | $115,082 |
| Expert Level Hydrogeologist | $119,648 |
How to Increase Salary as a Hydrogeologist?
To enhance their salary potential, hydrogeologists can focus on several strategies:
- Pursue a master's degree: Earning a master's degree is one of the most reliable ways to raise your compensation. Hydrogeologists with advanced degrees typically earn between $100,600 and $108,600 annually.
- Specialize in surface water & storage management: Expanding skills in specialized areas like aquifer storage, construction projects, or surface water treatment can lead to higher-paying positions. Completing certifications in environmental permitting, management practices, or advanced hydrology increases both credibility and earning potential.
- Target high-paying states and cities: Location plays a major role in determining salary. Relocating to states like Washington, California, or Colorado, or cities such as San Jose and San Francisco, can result in significantly higher salaries due to stronger demand and higher costs of living. Reviewing these locations and their trends can help professionals make strategic career moves.
- Engage in development projects: Hydrogeologists often see increased pay when involved in large-scale construction or resource development projects. These roles frequently include added compensation for action management and environmental security, ensuring that human and ecological water needs are both addressed.
- Collaborate with public officials: Building long-term connections with regulatory agencies, public officials, and environmental boards can lead to stable, well-paid roles. These collaborations often involve guiding policy, conducting compliance review, and ensuring proper verification of groundwater projects before proceeding with full-scale implementation.
Hydrogeologist Skills
Hydrogeologists skills can be varied, with completing advanced training in sample collection or mastering the principles of geology can achieve salary increases of up to 10.8%.
Specialized knowledge in mineralogy and core/well logging boosts salaries by 10.6% to 10.1%. Meanwhile, expertise in geotechnical engineering, feasibility studies, and chemical engineering brings around a 10% increase.
| Skill | Salary Increase (%) | Skill Demand (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Collection | +10.80% | 8.53% |
| Principles of Geology | +10.80% | 8.08% |
| Mineralogy | +10.60% | 8.08% |
| Core/Well Logging | +10.10% | 8.08% |
| Geotechnical Engineering | +10.00% | 7.68% |
| Feasibility Study | +10.00% | 8.50% |
| Chemical Engineering | +10.00% | 7.97% |
What are FAQs About Hydrogeologist Salaries?
Here are some common questions about hydrogeologist salary:
How much does a hydrogeologist salary average in 2025?
The average hydrogeologist salary in 2025 is about $92,640 per year, ranging from $138,109 to $118,800 depending on experience, state, and location. Strong pay reflects the connection between water security, environmental needs, and human impact.
Do hydrogeologists with a master's degree earn more?
Yes. Those completing a master's degree or MBA earn $101,943 to $110,067. Graduate study helps verify data, improve security in water projects, and prepare professionals before proceeding into leadership roles.
Which states pay the most?
California and the District of Columbia lead in pay due to heavy investment in environmental security and hydrology connections.
Which cities offer the best pay?
San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY rank high. Agencies here rely on hydrogeologists to complete reports, verify water conditions, and respond to urgent needs before proceeding with development.
Does experience matter?
Yes. Entry-level roles start around $107,999 while experts with 8+ years earn $119,648. Experience ensures accurate verification, completing complex tasks, and building trust in human and environmental security.
How do public officials influence employment?
Public officials often hire hydrogeologists to verify water quality, manage hydrology connections, and maintain security in environmental plans. Completing these steps and responding to community needs is essential before proceeding with new projects.
