SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · United States
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health across the United States is $82,220 per year, measured over 89,250 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $132,620.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow about as fast as average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +4.4%
- Openings per year
- 8,500
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Pay for this occupation varies by 131.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $132,620 and Arkansas pays $57,220.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $132,620 | 1,270 | |
| 2 | California | $106,510 | 12,490 | |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $100,730 | 330 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $100,640 | 2,930 | |
| 5 | Washington | $98,300 | 4,470 | |
| 6 | Oregon | $97,440 | 1,370 | |
| 7 | Texas | $92,000 | 5,630 | |
| 8 | Alaska | $91,960 | 860 | |
| 9 | Utah | $90,710 | 1,020 | |
| 10 | Minnesota | $88,000 | 2,260 |
States with the most Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 12,490 | $106,510 | |
| 2 | Florida | 5,950 | $60,830 | |
| 3 | Texas | 5,630 | $92,000 | |
| 4 | Washington | 4,470 | $98,300 | |
| 5 | North Carolina | 4,150 | $74,130 | |
| 6 | New York | 3,700 | $82,160 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3,150 | $79,210 | |
| 8 | Michigan | 3,100 | $76,080 | |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 3,020 | $76,110 | |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 2,930 | $100,640 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick | $129,110 | 300 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $127,210 | 1,320 |
| 3 | Monroe | $114,160 | 80 |
| 4 | Oxnard | $110,260 | 170 |
| 5 | Napa | $109,710 | 40 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $109,710 | 190 |
| 7 | Sacramento | $108,430 | 3,520 |
| 8 | Washington | $108,160 | 2,710 |
| 9 | Redding | $106,510 | 130 |
| 10 | San Jose | $106,510 | 340 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 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.