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Occupation · SOC 19-2043

Hydrologists

There are 5,850 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $96,600 a year. The most jobs are in Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZ.

ScienceTypical education: Bachelor's degree
5,850
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$96,600
Median pay a year
Middle half: $77,210–$122,830
400
Annual openings
10-year change: +1.5%
116
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 34 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $90,000 · LCA filings 6260$90,0006
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $94,580 · LCA filings 6210$94,5806
Columbus, OHMedian pay $98,200 · LCA filings 0170$98,2000
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $108,680 · LCA filings 4140$108,6804
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 5140n/a5
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $88,100 · LCA filings 5130$88,1005
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $106,860 · LCA filings 1110$106,8601
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $73,810 · LCA filings 0100$73,8100
Columbia, SCMedian pay $65,770 · LCA filings 0100$65,7700
Boise City, IDMedian pay $88,150 · LCA filings 080$88,1500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$152,730500
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$147,080500
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 1$142,640301
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 50 · LCA filings 1$138,020501
Trenton–Princeton, NJEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$128,320400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 26062260
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 21062210
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 14053140
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 13054130
Reno, NVEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 705170

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $88,858 · Level III $105,872 · Level IV $122,907$71,822$88,858$105,872$122,907
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $82,867 · Level III $95,139 · Level IV $107,390$70,616$82,867$95,139$107,390
Columbus, OHLevel II $82,098 · Level III $96,907 · Level IV $111,717$67,288$82,098$96,907$111,717
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $102,627 · Level III $121,285 · Level IV $139,942$83,970$102,627$121,285$139,942
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $100,422 · Level III $120,453 · Level IV $140,483$80,392$100,422$120,453$140,483
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $85,426 · Level III $103,626 · Level IV $121,805$67,246$85,426$103,626$121,805
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $98,946 · Level III $112,112 · Level IV $125,258$85,800$98,946$112,112$125,258
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $67,080 · Level III $77,834 · Level IV $88,587$56,326$67,080$77,834$88,587
Columbia, SCLevel II $64,958 · Level III $73,861 · Level IV $82,742$56,077$64,958$73,861$82,742
Boise City, IDLevel II $79,872 · Level III $95,077 · Level IV $110,282$64,667$79,872$95,077$110,282
Reno, NVLevel II $104,291 · Level III $124,675 · Level IV $145,059$83,907$104,291$124,675$145,059

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesCIP 40.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months633STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Earth Systems ScienceCIP 30.38STEM OPT · up to 36 months5STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Environmental GeosciencesCIP 30.41STEM OPT · up to 36 months5STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Hydrologists in every metro area

All 34 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology