SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — Denver
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Denver, CO comes to $95,780 a year, ahead of the national median of $82,220 by 16.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Denver, CO comes to $95,780 a year, ahead of the national median of $82,220 by 16.5%. Pay ranges from under $66,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $148,820 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $79,580 to $121,440.
Employment stands at 1,280, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Colorado Springs records the highest median at $97,460. Of the 648 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 154th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,150 | −19.5% |
| 25th | $79,580 | −3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $95,780 | +16.5% |
| 75th | $121,440 | +47.7% |
| 90th | $148,820 | +81.0% |
| Mean | $106,220 | +29.2% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Springs | $97,460 | 150 | |
| 2 | Fort Collins | $96,030 | 140 | |
| 3 | Greeley | $89,840 | 60 | |
| 4 | Grand Junction | $79,040 | 40 | |
| 5 | Boulder | $65,260 | 770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Denver run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $95,780 buys what $92,900 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 13.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$95,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,900US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $95,780 a year, 16.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,150 to $148,820 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Colorado Springs, at $97,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Denver, CO?
The median annual wage is $95,780, or $46.05 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 $82,220, so pay in Denver, CO is 16.5% 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 Denver, CO earns more than $148,820 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,150 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 Colorado Springs, at $97,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,280 jobs in this occupation in Denver, CO. 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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