How much does a environmental scientist and specialist make?
The median environmental scientist and specialist in the United States earns $82,220 per year, about $39.53 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all environmental scientists and specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-2041.
Environmental scientist and specialist salary range
Pay for environmental scientists and specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $52,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $140,010. The average (mean) wage of $91,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,520 | $25.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $64,490 | $31.01 | |
| Median (50th) | $82,220 | $39.53 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $107,970 | $51.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $140,010 | $67.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for environmental scientists and specialists, including health (SOC 19-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Environmental scientist and specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Environmental scientists and specialists earn the most in District of Columbia at $132,620 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $57,220. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $132,620 | 1,270 |
| California | $106,510 | 12,490 |
| Rhode Island | $100,730 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | 2,930 |
| Washington | $98,300 | 4,470 |
| Oregon | $97,440 | 1,370 |
| Texas | $92,000 | 5,630 |
| Alaska | $91,960 | 860 |
| Utah | $90,710 | 1,020 |
| Minnesota | $88,000 | 2,260 |
| New Mexico | $86,630 | 940 |
| Colorado | $85,990 | 2,580 |
| Georgia | $85,710 | 1,750 |
| North Dakota | $84,570 | 240 |
| Maryland | $84,190 | 1,760 |
| Nevada | $83,050 | 490 |
| Virginia | $82,230 | 2,850 |
| New York | $82,160 | 3,700 |
| West Virginia | $82,100 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $82,070 | 620 |
| Illinois | $81,590 | 1,550 |
| New Hampshire | $80,810 | 480 |
| Arizona | $80,600 | 1,970 |
| Montana | $80,260 | 570 |
| Hawaii | $79,510 | 670 |
| New Jersey | $79,210 | 3,150 |
| Iowa | $78,780 | 690 |
| Ohio | $78,540 | 2,460 |
| Kansas | $78,210 | 590 |
| Vermont | $77,460 | 490 |
| Tennessee | $76,840 | 1,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,110 | 3,020 |
| Michigan | $76,080 | 3,100 |
| Oklahoma | $75,910 | 520 |
| South Carolina | $74,910 | 490 |
| North Carolina | $74,130 | 4,150 |
| Wyoming | $74,050 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $72,820 | 920 |
| Alabama | $72,490 | 870 |
| Kentucky | $71,040 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $70,350 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $69,820 | 1,600 |
| South Dakota | $68,230 | 240 |
| Maine | $66,480 | 530 |
| Indiana | $64,700 | 1,290 |
| Delaware | $64,690 | 290 |
| Nebraska | $64,040 | 510 |
| Missouri | $61,050 | 1,380 |
| Florida | $60,830 | 5,950 |
| Mississippi | $57,780 | 390 |
| Arkansas | $57,220 | 270 |
State median wages for environmental scientists and specialists, including health (SOC 19-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for environmental scientists and specialists
The BLS projects employment of environmental scientists and specialists to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 93,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 99,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,300 openings a year for environmental scientists and specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an environmental scientist and specialist
The typical entry-level education for environmental scientists and specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an environmental scientist and specialist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $132,620) and the lowest (Arkansas, $57,220) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 89,250 people work as environmental scientists and specialists in the United States. At $82,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Environmental scientist and specialist salary FAQ
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an environmental scientist and specialist is $39.53. The middle half of environmental scientists and specialists earn between $31.01 and $51.91 per hour.
What is the highest environmental scientist and specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of environmental scientists and specialists earn more than $140,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for an environmental scientist and specialist is $82,220. The average (mean) wage of $91,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an environmental scientist and specialist a well paid job?
At $82,220 a year, an environmental scientist and specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 89,250 people work as environmental scientists and specialists in the United States.
Which state pays environmental scientists and specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for environmental scientists and specialists at $132,620 a year. California ($106,510) and Rhode Island ($100,730) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an environmental scientist and specialist a good career?
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an environmental scientist and specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for environmental scientists and specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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