Salary data is based on the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area and applied to Washington using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Hydrologists Salaries in Washington, DC

Average Base Pay

$120,760/yr

22% above national average

Monthly

$10,063

Hourly

$58

Cost Index

132

Hydrologists in Washington, DC earn an average of $120,760 per year, with most salaries falling between $96,608 and $144,912 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 22% above the national average, Washington ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 132. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Washington.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$91K
Low

$121K
Median

$151K
High

25th percentile: $103K75th percentile: $139K

About Hydrologists

Environmental Scientists study the natural environment and identify how human activity affects ecosystems, air quality, water quality, and soil health. They collect environmental samples, conduct field surveys, analyze data, and prepare reports that inform regulatory compliance, remediation planning, environmental permitting, and natural resource management. In consulting, environmental scientists conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments to identify contamination at properties being acquired or sold. They oversee remediation of contaminated sites, collecting soil and groundwater samples to monitor cleanup progress against regulatory cleanup goals. Wetland scientists identify and delineate wetland boundaries for Clean Water Act permitting and assess impacts of proposed development. Air quality scientists monitor emissions, model pollutant concentrations, and prepare air permit applications. Environmental scientists also work for regulatory agencies, reviewing permit applications, conducting inspections, and enforcing environmental laws. Natural resource agencies employ them to assess habitat quality, manage wildlife populations, and evaluate the ecological impacts of proposed infrastructure projects. A bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, geology, or chemistry is the typical entry credential.

What Hydrologists Do

Conduct field investigations including soil, water, and air sampling
Perform Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments
Analyze environmental data and compare against regulatory standards
Prepare technical reports for regulatory submissions and client deliverables
Delineate wetlands and assess ecological impacts of proposed projects
Monitor environmental remediation activities
Interact with regulatory agencies on permitting and compliance matters
Use GIS tools to map and analyze environmental data spatially

Key Skills & Qualifications

Field sampling techniques for soil, groundwater, and surface water
Environmental data analysis and statistical interpretation
Regulatory framework knowledge (Clean Water Act, CERCLA, RCRA)
Phase I and Phase II ESA methodology
GIS for environmental mapping and data analysis
Technical report writing for regulatory audiences
Wetland delineation methodology (USACE, HGM)
Environmental permitting processes

Career Path

Field Technician / Environmental Scientist I
Environmental Scientist
Senior Environmental Scientist
Project Manager / Principal Scientist
Director of Environmental Services

Hydrologists Market in Washington, DC

Salary Competitiveness

Washington is one of the stronger-paying markets for Hydrologists, with local salaries running approximately 22% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

The cost of living in Washington is well above the national average, and essential monthly expenses consume roughly 48% of take-home pay for this role. That compression means a higher gross salary buys less financial breathing room than the headline number suggests—particularly for housing, which tends to dominate the budget in high-cost markets.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Hydrologists earning $120,760 in Washington reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

+22%

Cost Pressure

48%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$88,155

Monthly

$7,346

Weekly

$1,695

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $120,760 for a Hydrologists in Washington translates to roughly $7,346 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $3,555—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $3,791 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Washington's current market.

How far does this salary go in Washington?

Cost of Living in Washington

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Washington, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

132

High — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$2,180/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$610/mo

🚗Transportation$170/mo

💡Utilities$205/mo

🏥Healthcare$390/mo

Monthly$3,555

Annual$42,660

Disposable Income$3,791

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Washington to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$7,346

Living Costs

$3,555

Disposable

$3,791

Cost Index

132

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $7,346, your estimated living costs in Washington are $3,555 ($42,660/yr). This leaves $3,791 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Washington's cost of living is 32% above the national average.

Overall, a Hydrologists earning $120,760 in Washington falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 132, Washington is 32% more expensive than the national average, which compresses real purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Washington continue to evolve.