Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$65,350
- 25th Percentile — Junior$81,480
- 50th Percentile — Median$106,510
- 75th Percentile — Senior$132,770
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$161,910
Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn more than $106,510. The top 10% make $161,910 or more, while entry-level workers start around $65,350.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $112,360 per year (22.6% above the U.S. average of $91,680).
- 12,490 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California — 14.0% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.19: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $65,350; the top 10% earn over $161,910.
- Hourly equivalent: $54.02 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $133,190.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Environmental Scientists and Specialists 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 Scientists and Specialists here earn $112,360 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $112,360 is roughly equivalent to $79,127 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($133,190), Massachusetts ($104,760), Rhode Island ($104,460) are the closest alternatives for Environmental Scientists and Specialists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +79.7% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +68.6% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +32.2% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +24.7% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +19.0% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +13.3% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California +9.5% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California +9.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in California?
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in California is $112,360 per year (median $106,510), which is 22.6% above the national average of $91,680.
How does California rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($133,190/yr).
How much do entry-level Environmental Scientists and Specialists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn about $65,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $81,480.
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in California?
About $54.02 per hour, based on the $112,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in California?
BLS counts 12,490 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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