Environmental Scientist Salary Guide 2026
Environmental Scientist Salary Guide — Compensation Data & Negotiation Tips
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $80,060 for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041) as of May 2024 [1]. With growing emphasis on sustainability, climate resilience, and contamination remediation, environmental scientists who combine regulatory expertise with modern analytical tools command above-median compensation.
Key Takeaways
- The national median salary for environmental scientists is $80,060, with the 90th percentile reaching $134,830 [1].
- Approximately 87,400 environmental scientists and specialists, including health are employed nationally [1].
- Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024-2034 , about as fast as average [3].
- Geographic location, industry, and certifications significantly impact compensation.
National Salary Overview
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health are classified under BLS SOC code 19-2041. As of May 2024 [1]:
| Metric | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Median (50th Percentile) | $80,060 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,830 |
| Total Employment | 87,400 |
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0-2 years) | $50,130 - $64,048 |
| Mid-Level (3-6 years) | $64,048 - $80,060 |
| Senior (7-12 years) | $80,060 - $114,605 |
| Director / Lead (12+ years) | $114,605 - $134,830+ |
Top-Paying States
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $108,200 |
| 2 | California | $102,400 |
| 3 | Washington | $96,800 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $94,600 |
| 5 | New York | $93,200 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $91,400 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $90,200 |
| 8 | Maryland | $88,800 |
| 9 | Colorado | $86,400 |
| 10 | Oregon | $84,600 |
Top-Paying Metro Areas
| Rank | Metro Area | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD | $110,400 |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $108,600 |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $106,200 |
| 4 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $98,400 |
| 5 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $96,800 |
| 6 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,200 |
| 7 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $90,600 |
| 8 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,800 |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Environmental Consulting | $72,000 - $120,000 |
| Remediation/Cleanup | $68,000 - $115,000 |
| EIA/Permitting | $70,000 - $110,000 |
| Water Quality | $65,000 - $105,000 |
| Air Quality | $68,000 - $115,000 |
| Climate/Sustainability | $75,000 - $130,000 |
| Regulatory Compliance | $72,000 - $120,000 |
Benefits and Total Compensation
- Health Insurance: Standard medical, dental, vision at consulting firms and government agencies
- 401(k)/Pension: 401(k) with match at private firms; pension plans at government agencies
- Fieldwork Per Diem: $50-$100/day for field assignments
- Vehicle Allowance: Company vehicle or mileage reimbursement for field-heavy roles
- Professional Development: $2,000-$4,000/year for conferences and certifications
- Tuition Reimbursement: $5,000-$10,000/year at larger firms
- Flexible Schedules: Seasonal fieldwork balanced with office-based analysis periods
How to Negotiate
- Highlight regulatory expertise: Cite specific regulations you administer: NEPA, CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act.
- Quantify remediation impact: 'Managed $3.2M remediation project achieving 99.8% contaminant reduction within EPA timeline.'
- Leverage PE or PG licensure: Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist licenses add $5,000-$15,000 to salary.
- Target consulting firms: Environmental consulting (Arcadis, WSP, Tetra Tech) pays 10-20% more than government positions.
- Negotiate fieldwork compensation: Field per diem, vehicle allowance, and hazard pay for contaminated site work add significant value.
- Pursue climate/sustainability roles: ESG and sustainability consulting roles pay 15-25% above traditional environmental science positions.
Salary Growth
The BLS projects 6% employment growth for environmental scientists and specialists, including health from 2024 to 2034 , about as fast as average [3]. Key drivers:
- Climate legislation: IRA and bipartisan infrastructure investments fund environmental remediation and clean energy projects
- PFAS remediation: Emerging contaminant regulations (PFAS, microplastics) create new demand for environmental assessment and cleanup
- ESG reporting: Corporate sustainability reporting requirements expand environmental scientist roles beyond traditional consulting
- Water infrastructure: Aging water treatment infrastructure requires environmental scientists for assessment and permitting
Key Takeaways
- Median salary of $80,060 with senior roles reaching $134,830+ [1].
- Geographic and industry variation creates significant compensation differences.
- Certifications and specializations provide measurable salary premiums.
- 6% projected growth through 2034 signals steady demand [3].
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FAQ
What is the starting salary for an environmental scientist? Entry-level environmental scientists earn $50,130-$64,000 depending on geography and employer [1].
Do environmental scientists need a master's degree? A bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry-level roles. Master's degrees are preferred for senior consulting and research positions.
Which certifications help environmental scientists earn more? PE (Professional Engineer), PG (Professional Geologist), CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), and QEP (Qualified Environmental Professional).
Government vs consulting environmental scientist salary? Consulting firms pay 10-20% more in base salary but may require more travel. Government offers pension, job stability, and PSLF eligibility.
Is environmental science a growing field? Yes. 6% growth through 2034, driven by climate change, contamination remediation, and ESG reporting requirements [3].
Can environmental scientists work remotely? Partially. Report writing, GIS analysis, and regulatory review can be remote, but field sampling and site inspections require on-site presence.
What software do environmental scientists use? ArcGIS, AutoCAD, MODFLOW, R/Python for data analysis, and EQuIS for environmental data management.
Citations: [1] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (19-2041)," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192041.htm [2] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm [3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm [4] O*NET OnLine, "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (19-2041.00)," https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2041.00 [5] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment Projections: 2024-2034," U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/emp/ [6] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "May 2024 Metropolitan Area OES Estimates," https://www.bls.gov/oes/2024/may/oessrcma.htm [7] Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Overview of May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wages," https://www.bls.gov/oes/2024/may/overview_2024.htm [8] Glassdoor, "Environmental Scientist Salary Data 2026," https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/environmental-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm
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