SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 10 metro areas compared
At $57,010, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, 30.7% beneath the national figure of $82,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $57,010, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, 30.7% beneath the national figure of $82,220. Pay ranges from under $40,140 at the tenth percentile to more than $107,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,470 to $85,290.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.84 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Wildwood records the highest median at $77,280. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 175th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,140 | −51.2% |
| 25th | $45,470 | −44.7% |
| Median (50th) | $57,010 | −30.7% |
| 75th | $85,290 | +3.7% |
| 90th | $107,760 | +31.1% |
| Mean | $69,960 | −14.9% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wildwood | $77,280 | 40 | |
| 2 | Crestview | $72,340 | 70 | |
| 3 | Miami | $68,920 | 1,080 | |
| 4 | Panama City | $65,450 | 50 | |
| 5 | Orlando | $64,840 | 650 | |
| 6 | Naples | $64,640 | 70 | |
| 7 | Palm Bay | $63,750 | 220 | |
| 8 | North Port | $63,220 | 200 | |
| 9 | Tampa | $62,680 | 880 | |
| 10 | Cape Coral | $60,850 | 250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $57,010 buys what $55,135 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 32.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,135US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,010 a year, 30.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,140 to $107,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wildwood, at $77,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $57,010, or $27.41 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 Lakeland, FL is 30.7% lower. 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 Lakeland, FL earns more than $107,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,140 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 Wildwood, at $77,280 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. 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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