SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — Waco
Waco, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $84,670 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $82,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $84,670 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $82,220. Half of workers earn between $69,510 and $103,790. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $52,820 and the ninetieth at $136,330.
Beaumont leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $96,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 55th of 340 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,820 | −35.8% |
| 25th | $69,510 | −15.5% |
| Median (50th) | $84,670 | +3.0% |
| 75th | $103,790 | +26.2% |
| 90th | $136,330 | +65.8% |
| Mean | $88,500 | +7.6% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beaumont | $96,100 | 120 | |
| 2 | Houston | $95,170 | 1,840 | |
| 3 | Austin | $93,070 | 960 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $92,350 | 370 | |
| 5 | Tyler | $89,500 | 40 | |
| 6 | Killeen | $88,610 | 50 | |
| 7 | El Paso | $87,930 | 80 | |
| 8 | College Station | $87,220 | 40 | |
| 9 | Dallas | $85,210 | 1,270 | |
| 10 | Midland | $80,450 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waco run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $84,670 goes as far as $87,199 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$84,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$87,199US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $84,670 a year, 3.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,820 to $136,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Beaumont, at $96,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Waco, TX?
The median annual wage is $84,670, or $40.71 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 Waco, TX is 3.0% 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 Waco, TX earns more than $136,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,820 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 Beaumont, at $96,100 per year.
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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