How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make?
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn a median annual salary of $82,220 in the United States, which works out to roughly $39.53 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $52,520 at the entry level and $140,010 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $64,490 and $107,970 a year.
That is $20,830 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary range by percentile
Half of all Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn between $64,490 and $107,970 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,520 | $25.25 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,490 | $31.00 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,220 | $39.53 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,970 | $51.91 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,010 | $67.31 |
Highest-paying states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay at $132,620 a year, followed by California ($106,510) and Rhode Island ($100,730). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $57,220 — a gap of $75,400 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $132,620 | $63.76 | +61% |
| 2 | California | $106,510 | $51.21 | +30% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $100,730 | $48.43 | +23% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $100,640 | $48.38 | +22% |
| 5 | Washington | $98,300 | $47.26 | +20% |
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 89,000 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $91,680 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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