California Median
$106,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.21
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $82,220
State Rank
#2 of 51
12,490 employed here
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in California?
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health working in California earn a median salary of $106,510 per year, or about $51.21 per hour. That is 30% above the national median of $82,220 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $65,350 while the top 10% make $161,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,480 and $132,770 a year.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,350 | $31.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $81,480 | $39.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,510 | $51.21 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,770 | $63.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,910 | $77.84 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in other states
District of Columbia $132,620Rhode Island $100,730Massachusetts $100,640Washington $98,300Oregon $97,440Texas $92,000Alaska $91,960Utah $90,710Minnesota $88,000New Mexico $86,630Colorado $85,990Georgia $85,710North Dakota $84,570Maryland $84,190Nevada $83,050Virginia $82,230New York $82,160West Virginia $82,100Connecticut $82,070Illinois $81,590New Hampshire $80,810Arizona $80,600Montana $80,260Hawaii $79,510New Jersey $79,210Iowa $78,780Ohio $78,540Kansas $78,210Vermont $77,460Tennessee $76,840Pennsylvania $76,110Michigan $76,080Oklahoma $75,910South Carolina $74,910North Carolina $74,130Wyoming $74,050Wisconsin $72,820Alabama $72,490Kentucky $71,040Idaho $70,350Louisiana $69,820South Dakota $68,230Maine $66,480Indiana $64,700Delaware $64,690Nebraska $64,040Missouri $61,050Florida $60,830Mississippi $57,780Arkansas $57,220
Working as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in California
Nationally, about 89,000 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($106,510) 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 do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in California?
The median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in California is $106,510 per year, or about $51.21 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,350 at the entry level to $161,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health about 30% more than the national median of $82,220. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $106,510 a year. About 12,490 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 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 Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 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.