SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health is $88,920 a year, which is 8.1% higher than the national figure of $82,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health is $88,920 a year, which is 8.1% higher than the national figure of $82,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $80,620 and $109,710. The lowest tenth earn under $63,620, while the highest tenth earn more than $151,200.
The area has 150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.49 — 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 $127,210. Of the 350 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 73rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,620 | −22.6% |
| 25th | $80,620 | −1.9% |
| Median (50th) | $88,920 | +8.1% |
| 75th | $109,710 | +33.4% |
| 90th | $151,200 | +83.9% |
| Mean | $98,740 | +20.1% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $127,210 | 1,320 | |
| 2 | Oxnard | $110,260 | 170 | |
| 3 | Napa | $109,710 | 40 | |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $109,710 | 190 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $108,430 | 3,520 | |
| 6 | Redding | $106,510 | 130 | |
| 7 | San Jose | $106,510 | 340 | |
| 8 | Yuba City | $106,510 | 60 | |
| 9 | San Diego | $106,100 | 1,140 | |
| 10 | San Luis Obispo | $105,810 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $88,920 buys what $80,325 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$88,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,325US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $88,920 a year, 8.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,620 to $151,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $127,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $88,920, or $42.75 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 8.1% 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA earns more than $151,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,620 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 $127,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, 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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