SOC 17-2081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Engineers — California
California · 10 metro areas compared
In California the median wage for Environmental Engineers is $130,410 a year, which is 21.8% higher than the national figure of $107,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In California the median wage for Environmental Engineers is $130,410 a year, which is 21.8% higher than the national figure of $107,110. Half of workers earn between $95,950 and $148,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $79,790 and the ninetieth at $170,790.
The area has 4,550 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 2nd by median wage. Santa Rosa leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $141,560. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 99th of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $79,790 | −25.5% |
| 25th | $95,950 | −10.4% |
| Median (50th) | $130,410 | +21.8% |
| 75th | $148,650 | +38.8% |
| 90th | $170,790 | +59.5% |
| Mean | $125,870 | +17.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa | $141,560 | 100 | |
| 2 | Redding | $140,570 | 40 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $138,840 | 550 | |
| 4 | Stockton | $138,700 | 40 | |
| 5 | Vallejo | $136,640 | 30 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $133,240 | 1,200 | |
| 7 | Santa Cruz | $130,270 | 30 | |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo | $129,780 | 60 | |
| 9 | Los Angeles | $127,900 | 890 | |
| 10 | Salinas | $126,670 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $130,410 buys what $117,805 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$130,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$117,805US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $130,410 a year, 21.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $79,790 to $170,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,550 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Rosa, at $141,560.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Engineers in California?
The median annual wage is $130,410, or $62.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $107,110, so pay in California is 21.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $170,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $79,790 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Rosa, at $141,560 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,550 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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