Environmental Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$79,790
- 25th Percentile — Junior$95,950
- 50th Percentile — Median$130,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$148,650
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$170,790
Half of Environmental Engineers in California earn more than $130,410. The top 10% make $170,790 or more, while entry-level workers start around $79,790.
Environmental Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 50 states for Environmental Engineers pay, at $125,870 per year (11.5% above the U.S. average of $112,910).
- 4,550 people work as Environmental Engineers in California — 11.9% of all U.S. Environmental Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Environmental Engineers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $79,790; the top 10% earn over $170,790.
- Hourly equivalent: $60.51 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Louisiana at $138,180.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Environmental Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Environmental Engineers here earn $125,870 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $125,870 is roughly equivalent to $88,641 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Louisiana ($138,180), Oregon ($127,920), Washington ($127,330) are the closest alternatives for Environmental Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +51.4% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California +27.9% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California +27.1% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California +20.1% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California +17.5% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California +11.0% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California +8.6% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California +5.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Environmental Engineers salary in California?
The average Environmental Engineers salary in California is $125,870 per year (median $130,410), which is 11.5% above the national average of $112,910.
How does California rank for Environmental Engineers pay?
California ranks 4th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Louisiana ($138,180/yr).
How much do entry-level Environmental Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Engineers in California earn about $79,790 per year and the 25th percentile is $95,950.
How much do Environmental Engineers make per hour in California?
About $60.51 per hour, based on the $125,870 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Environmental Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 4,550 Environmental Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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