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Hydrologists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Hydrologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

126% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$59,070
$4,922/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$83,720
$6,977/mo
Senior (P90)
$133,430
$11,119/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$59,070
National: $67,955
-13.1%
Mid-Career (Median)
$83,720
National: $97,815
-14.4%
Senior (P90)
$133,430
National: $142,767
-6.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Hydrologists in Illinois spans from $59,070 at entry-level to $133,430 at senior level — a difference of $74,360 per year.

P10
$59K
P25
$67K
Median
$83K
P75
$110K
P90
$133K

Career Growth Premium: +126%

Senior Hydrologistss in Illinois earn $74,360 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$74,360
Monthly Difference
+$6,197
Hourly Difference
+$35.75
Growth Multiple
2.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Hydrologists salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $59,070 $4,922 $28.40
Early Career P25 $67,590 $5,632 $32.50
Mid-Career Median $83,720 $6,977 $40.25
Experienced P75 $110,110 $9,176 $52.94
Senior / Expert P90 $133,430 $11,119 $64.15
Key Insight

Hydrologists in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $59,070, while senior-level professionals earn $133,430 — a 126% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($83,720) and experienced level ($110,110), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Hydrologists senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$201,630
Entry: $82K
+145%
2
$194,900
Entry: $80K
+142%
3
$189,260
Entry: $84K
+124%
4
$184,290
Entry: $74K
+147%
5
$181,360
Entry: $76K
+138%
6
$176,480
Entry: $76K
+130%
7
$164,980
Entry: $77K
+113%
8
$160,710
Entry: $64K
+148%
9
$156,750
Entry: $61K
+153%
10
$155,920
Entry: $85K
+81%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Hydrologists?

Entry-level Hydrologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $59,070 per year, or $4,922 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $67,590. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Hydrologists make?

Senior Hydrologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $133,430 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $110,110. This represents a career premium of 126% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Hydrologists?

The career salary growth potential for Hydrologistss is 126%. Entry-level professionals start at $59,070, while senior-level can earn up to $133,430 — a difference of $74,360 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Hydrologistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Hydrologistss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $133,430 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Hydrologists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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