California Median
$130,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $107,110
State Rank
#2 of 50
4,550 employed here
How much does an Environmental Engineer make in California?
Environmental Engineers in California take home a median of $130,410 annually — roughly $62.70 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $107,110.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $79,790 while the top 10% make $170,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,950 and $148,650 a year.
Environmental Engineer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,790 | $38.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $95,950 | $46.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,410 | $62.70 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $148,650 | $71.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,790 | $82.11 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 50 states and territories for Environmental Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Environmental Engineer salary in other states
Louisiana $130,510Oregon $127,100Washington $125,460Texas $123,060Nebraska $120,620Idaho $117,520Florida $116,840Massachusetts $115,800Minnesota $115,750Connecticut $114,710Ohio $113,180Alaska $110,220Nevada $109,720New Mexico $108,360Illinois $107,990Hawaii $107,880Kentucky $107,520Colorado $106,890Wyoming $106,330Michigan $105,080Virginia $104,940Utah $103,380Pennsylvania $103,330Alabama $102,650New Jersey $102,630New York $101,270Rhode Island $101,140Montana $100,140North Carolina $99,440South Dakota $98,890Missouri $98,170Maryland $97,570Tennessee $97,190Georgia $96,530South Carolina $96,140Delaware $95,720Iowa $94,830Kansas $94,070Arizona $93,970Maine $93,930Vermont $92,580Indiana $92,460Oklahoma $92,090North Dakota $91,370Mississippi $91,100Wisconsin $89,990New Hampshire $88,610Arkansas $85,280West Virginia $83,200
Working as an Environmental Engineer in California
Nationally, about 38,000 people work as Environmental Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($130,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Environmental Engineer make in California?
The median Environmental Engineer salary in California is $130,410 per year, or about $62.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,790 at the entry level to $170,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Environmental Engineers about 22% more than the national median of $107,110. California ranks 2nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Environmental Engineers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,410 a year. About 4,550 Environmental Engineers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Environmental Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.