SalaryNode

Average Hydrologists Salary in Oregon

Hydrologists in Oregon earn an average annual salary of $93,810, which is below the national average of $107,260. This difference is influenced by Oregon's specific economic landscape, demand for water resource management professionals, and the unique environmental challenges present within the state.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $93,810 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $121,250.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 280 Hydrologists, Oregon presents a specialized but potentially robust job market. The high Location Quotient of 3.83 indicates a significantly higher concentration of these professionals compared to the national average, suggesting strong demand and a well-established professional community within the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$93,810

The average Hydrologists in Oregon earns-12.5%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$45.1

Weekly

$1,804

Monthly

$7,818

Hydrologists Salary Distribution in Oregon

Career progression for Hydrologists in Oregon typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior roles, requiring extensive project management and specialized expertise, can command salaries well above the average. The percentile gaps in salary data clearly signify the substantial career advancement and earning potential available.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$67,170$32.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$70,358$33.8
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$92,750$44.6
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$117,263$56.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$121,250$58.3

Detailed Hydrologists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$93,810

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$81,503

Adjusted for COL (115.1)

While the nominal average salary for Hydrologists in Oregon is $93,810, the local Cost of Living Index stands at 115.1. This means that the cost of goods and services is approximately 15.1% higher than the national average. Therefore, the purchasing power of an Oregon-based Hydrologist's salary is somewhat diminished compared to areas with a lower cost of living, requiring careful financial planning.

Job Market Context

280

Total Jobs

0.142

Per 1K Jobs

3.83

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Oregon has 3.8x the national concentration of Hydrologists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

Oregon's Location Quotient of 3.83 for Hydrologists is exceptionally high, signaling a market with a concentration of talent nearly four times the national average. This suggests that while there is a strong presence of Hydrologists, indicating a potentially competitive environment, it also points to a significant and specialized demand for their skills within the state's industries and environmental sectors.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Hydrologists

CitySalaryDist.
Salem, OR Hydrologists Salary$89,080↓ 5%53 mi

Comparing salaries near Oregon

Hiring Hydrologistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Hydrologists make in Oregon?

The median annual salary for a Hydrologists in Oregon is $93,810. This typically ranges from $67,170 for entry-level positions to $121,250 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Oregon is 12.5% lower than the national median of $107,260.

Is Oregon a lucrative place for Hydrologists?

Yes, with caveats.Oregon offers a high concentration of Hydrologist jobs (LQ 3.83), indicating strong demand. However, the average salary is below the national average, and the cost of living is higher, impacting overall financial attractiveness.

Is Oregon a good place to live for Hydrologists?

The Cost of Living Index in Oregon is 115.1. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Oregon?

Some top paying nearby cities include Salem, OR ($89,080) and others.

What is the average salary for a Hydrologist in Oregon?

The average annual salary for a Hydrologist in Oregon is $93,810.

How does Oregon's Hydrologist salary compare to the national average?

Hydrologists in Oregon earn approximately $13,450 less per year than the national average of $107,260.

Is the job market for Hydrologists strong in Oregon?

Yes, the high Location Quotient of 3.83 suggests a strong concentration and demand for Hydrologists in Oregon compared to the rest of the country.

How does the cost of living in Oregon affect a Hydrologist's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 115.1, Oregon is more expensive than the national average. This means the $93,810 salary has less purchasing power than it would in a lower-cost area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 280 employees in the Oregon area with a job density of 0.142 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Hydrologists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Oregon