Minnesota / Natural Resources Department / Hydrologist 3

Job-title file

Hydrologist 3

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

21 employees hold this title in Natural Resources Department. Median total compensation for the role is $101,640, above the department median of $66,596.

Employees: 21
Total payroll: $2M
Role median: $101,640
Agency median: $66,596
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$53,818$106,973+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 21 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Hydrologist 3 pay vs. Minnesota

Across all employers in Minnesota, the median wage for Hydrologists — about 300 people — is $94,580. Natural Resources Department pays a median base salary of $79,523 for this role, 16% below that figure — about the 26th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Natural Resources Department sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$68,620

$79,000

$94,580

$105,440

$125,300

Natural Resources Department median · $79,523

The bar is the range of annual wages for Hydrologists across every employer in Minnesota, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Natural Resources Department’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Hydrologists — about 5,850 people — is $96,600. Natural Resources Department’s median base salary is 18% below that national figure, about the 28th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$64,020

$77,210

$96,600

$122,830

$153,130

Natural Resources Department median · $79,523

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Minnesota range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 75 of 85 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Natural Resources Department is $76,044, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across Minnesota

Hydrologist 3 is held in 6 Minnesota departments. In Natural Resources Department, the median of $101,640 ranks #6 of 6.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Water & Soil Resources Board

$105,296 · 7

Transportation Department

$105,288 · 10

Pollution Control Agency

$104,876 · 30

Agriculture Department

$104,222 · 8

Health Department

$104,048 · 16

Median total compensation for the Hydrologist 3 role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Hydrologist beyond Minnesota

This role is reported in 2 jurisdictions. In Minnesota, the median of $87,585 ranks #1 of 2. See Hydrologist across all of Minnesota →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Texas

$69,096 · 88

Median total compensation for comparable Hydrologistroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Scott Pearson

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$108,091

Sub-department: ECO Waters Groundwater Atlas
Base pay: $82,992
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $25,099
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,091
Hire date: 2007-09-19
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Scott Pearson serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Eco Waters Groundwater Atlas. Hired in 2007, they have about 18 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $108,091. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Salam Murtada

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,296

Sub-department: ECO Waters Lakes & Rivers
Base pay: $105,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,296
Hire date: 2008-08-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Salam Murtada is a Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Lakes & Rivers. They have served since 2008 (about 17 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $105,296. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Patricia Fowler

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,296

Sub-department: ECO Waters Water&AqPlantPermit
Base pay: $105,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,296
Hire date: 1993-05-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Patricia Fowler serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Eco Waters Water&Aqplantpermit. Their tenure dates to 1993, about 32 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $105,296. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

John Barry

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,296

Sub-department: ECO Waters Groundwater Atlas
Base pay: $105,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,296
Hire date: 2011-09-14
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

John Barry works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Groundwater Atlas. Their tenure dates to 2011, about 14 years as a full-time employee. John earned $105,296 in 2025. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Garry Bennett

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,296

Sub-department: ECO Waters Land Use
Base pay: $105,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,296
Hire date: 2007-06-13
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Garry Bennett works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Land Use. They have served since 2007 (about 18 years) as a full-time employee. Garry earned $105,296 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Glen Champion

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,296

Sub-department: ECOWaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater
Base pay: $105,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,296
Hire date: 1999-05-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Glen Champion holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Ecowaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater. Their tenure dates to 1999, about 26 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $105,296. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jennifer Rose

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,292

Sub-department: Eco Waters Technical Analysis
Base pay: $105,292
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,292
Hire date: 2013-10-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Otter Tail

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jennifer Rose works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Technical Analysis. Their tenure dates to 2013, about 12 years as a full-time employee. Jennifer earned $105,292 in 2025. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Michele Walker

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$105,270

Sub-department: Eco Waters Technical Analysis
Base pay: $105,270
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,270
Hire date: 1991-09-25
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Michele Walker holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Technical Analysis. Their tenure dates to 1991, about 34 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $105,270. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jill Pohjonen

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$104,596

Sub-department: ECO Waters Floodplain Modeling
Base pay: $104,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,596
Hire date: 1999-05-07
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Jill Pohjonen serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Eco Waters Floodplain Modeling. Hired in 1999, they have about 26 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $104,596. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Jenifer Sorensen

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$102,484

Sub-department: ECO Waters Water&AqPlantPermit
Base pay: $102,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,484
Hire date: 2014-06-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Jenifer Sorensen works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Water&Aqplantpermit. Hired in 2014, they have about 11 years of service as a full-time employee. Jenifer earned $102,484 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Martin Vanoort

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$101,640

Sub-department: L&M Mine Permit & Coord Staff
Base pay: $101,640
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,640
Hire date: 2022-06-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Martin Vanoort holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within L&M Mine Permit & Coordinator Staff. They have served since 2022 (about 3 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $101,640. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Wesley Saunders-Pearce

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$99,006

Sub-department: ECO Waters Water&AqPlantPermit
Base pay: $99,006
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,006
Hire date: 2000-05-15
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Wesley Saunders-Pearce holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Water&Aqplantpermit. They have served since 2000 (about 25 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $99,006. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Nicholas Evans

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$96,425

Sub-department: Eco Waters Technical Analysis
Base pay: $94,932
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,492
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,425
Hire date: 2016-02-10
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Nicholas Evans holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Technical Analysis. Hired in 2016, they have about 9 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $96,425. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Brent Mason

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$94,904

Sub-department: Eco Waters Technical Analysis
Base pay: $94,449
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $455
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,904
Hire date: 2017-03-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Brent Mason is a Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Technical Analysis. Their tenure dates to 2017, about 8 years, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $94,904. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Mary Presnail

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$93,665

Sub-department: ECO Waters Floodplain Modeling
Base pay: $93,665
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,665
Hire date: 2012-04-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Mary Presnail holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Floodplain Modeling. They have served since 2012 (about 13 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $93,665. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Carrie Robertson

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$93,451

Sub-department: ECO Waters Field Mon Ops 3
Base pay: $92,776
Overtime: $675
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,451
Hire date: 2005-05-31
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Carrie Robertson is a Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Field Mon Operations 3. Hired in 2005, they have about 19 years of service, working full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $93,451. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Vanessa Baratta-Person

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$89,633

Sub-department: ECOWaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater
Base pay: $89,633
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,633
Hire date: 2013-09-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Vanessa Baratta-Person serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Ecowaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater. Their tenure dates to 2013, about 11 years, working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,633. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

James Vanderwaal

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2024 total comp

$87,345

Sub-department: ECOWaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater
Base pay: $68,856
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $18,489
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,345
Hire date: 2012-09-17
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2024: No
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, James Vanderwaal serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Ecowaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater. They have served since 2012 (about 12 years), working full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $87,345. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Amanda Yourd

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$82,683

Sub-department: Eco Waters Technical Analysis
Base pay: $82,683
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,683
Hire date: 2011-09-21
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Amanda Yourd holds the role of Hydrologist 3 at Natural Resources Department within Eco Waters Technical Analysis. They have served since 2011 (about 14 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $82,683. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Daniel Reinartz

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$73,812

Sub-department: ECO Waters Lakes & Rivers
Base pay: $73,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,812
Hire date: 2012-09-04
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.7
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Natural Resources Department, Daniel Reinartz serves as a Hydrologist 3 within Eco Waters Lakes & Rivers. Their tenure dates to 2012, about 13 years, working part-time, 0.7 FTE. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,812. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Donald Wallen

Hydrologist 3/Natural Resources Department

2025 total comp

$53,818

Sub-department: ECOWaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater
Base pay: $53,818
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $53,818
Hire date: 1998-01-05
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay grade: 16
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: R29
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Donald Wallen works as a Hydrologist 3 for Natural Resources Department within Ecowaters Hydrogeo-Groundwater. They have served since 1998 (about 27 years) as a part-time, 0.5 FTE employee. Donald earned $53,818 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.