Hydrogeologist 4 pay range
State of Washington · class code 514H
- Class code
- 514H
- Salary range
- 66
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Hydrogeologist 4 is $82,440 to $110,952 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 514H.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 66 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $82,440 | $84,528 | $86,688 | $88,788 | $91,104 | $93,288 | $95,676 | $98,064 | $100,488 | $102,996 | $105,612 | $108,228 | $110,952 |
| Monthly | $6,870 | $7,044 | $7,224 | $7,399 | $7,592 | $7,774 | $7,973 | $8,172 | $8,374 | $8,583 | $8,801 | $9,019 | $9,246 |
| Hourly | $39.48 | $40.48 | $41.52 | $42.52 | $43.63 | $44.68 | $45.82 | $46.97 | $48.13 | $49.33 | $50.58 | $51.83 | $53.14 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
In the Department of Ecology, and designated in writing by a program manager equivalent or higher, serves as a senior hydrogeologist planning, developing, conducting, directing and/or overseeing independent hydrogeologic projects or investigations within a region or at headquarters and meets four (4) of the distinguishing characteristics for the class.
Examples of the work
Develops policies and procedures and technically directs staff within a unit providing technical hydrogeologic services to a section or program; Establishes, reviews, and evaluates water resource and water quality data collection and analysis; Directs and/or manages major field and office studies and technical evaluations in applied hydrogeology; Directs preparation and review of formal responses to inquiries from other governmental units and private interests; Directs preparation of testimony and/or testifies for court cases or administrative hearings; Plans, coordinates, and directs special projects; utilizes and coordinates support functions within the agency and in cooperation with othe ...
Minimum qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field. AND Five years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level, higher or equivalent. A Master’s degree with major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field will substitute for two years of experience. A Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of experience if major research was in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field. Note : Some positions require possession of a valid Washington State Geologist license.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.