SOC 19-4042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
At $90,720 a year, the median wage for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in San Luis Obispo, CA sits 64.7% above the national figure of $55,090.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $90,720 a year, the median wage for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in San Luis Obispo, CA sits 64.7% above the national figure of $55,090. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $68,700 and $110,800. The lowest tenth earn under $50,050, while the highest tenth earn more than $110,800.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.46 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $80,840. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 99th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,050 | −9.1% |
| 25th | $68,700 | +24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $90,720 | +64.7% |
| 75th | $110,800 | +101.1% |
| 90th | $110,800 | +101.1% |
| Mean | $87,520 | +58.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $80,840 | 690 | |
| 2 | Fresno | $77,840 | 400 | |
| 3 | Redding | $77,650 | 40 | |
| 4 | Visalia | $77,390 | 30 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $74,170 | 80 | |
| 6 | Modesto | $69,900 | 90 | |
| 7 | San Jose | $68,900 | 160 | |
| 8 | Santa Maria | $66,340 | 90 | |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | $66,000 | 50 | |
| 10 | Vallejo | $65,090 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $90,720 buys what $81,951 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 48.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$90,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,951US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $90,720 a year, 64.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,050 to $110,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $80,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $90,720, or $43.61 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 $55,090, so pay in San Luis Obispo, CA is 64.7% 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $110,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,050 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 San Francisco, at $80,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA. 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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