How Much Does an Environmental Science Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$82,220
Environmental scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $82,220 a year, or $39.53 an hour. Half of environmental scientists earn more than $82,220 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $140,010.
Pay percentiles for environmental scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25.25 | $52,520 |
| 25th | $31.01 | $64,490 |
| 50th (median) | $39.53 | $82,220 |
| 75th | $51.91 | $107,970 |
| 90th | $67.31 | $140,010 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for environmental scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $132,620 | $63.76 | +61% |
| California | $106,510 | $51.21 | +30% |
| Rhode Island | $100,730 | $48.43 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | $48.39 | +22% |
| Washington | $98,300 | $47.26 | +20% |
| Oregon | $97,440 | $46.85 | +19% |
| Texas | $92,000 | $44.23 | +12% |
| Alaska | $91,960 | $44.21 | +12% |
| Utah | $90,710 | $43.61 | +10% |
| Minnesota | $88,000 | $42.31 | +7% |
| United States | $82,220 | $39.53 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many environmental scientists are there?
BLS counts about 89,250 environmental scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health”. The most jobs are in California (12,490), Florida (5,950) and Texas (5,630).
The mean (average) annual wage is $91,680, higher than the median of $82,220.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,852
- Biweekly
- $3,162
- Weekly
- $1,581
- Daily (8 hours)
- $316
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do environmental scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for environmental scientists is $39.53. The middle 50% earn between $31.01 and $51.91 an hour.
Which state pays environmental scientists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for environmental scientists at $132,620, +61% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for environmental scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of environmental scientists earn less than $52,520 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.