BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Environmental Scientists and Specialists in North Carolina

$80,230 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$38.57 per hour

▼ 12.5% below U.S. average36th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$80,230per year
Median$74,130per year
Hourly$38.57per hour
10th – 90th percentile$49,320 – $125,930per year

Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,320
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$61,820
  • 50th Percentile — Median$74,130
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$93,990
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$125,930

Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in North Carolina earn more than $74,130. The top 10% make $125,930 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,320.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $80,230 per year (12.5% below the U.S. average of $91,680).
  • 4,150 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in North Carolina — 4.6% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.46: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,320; the top 10% earn over $125,930.
  • Hourly equivalent: $38.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $133,190.
  • Among science jobs in North Carolina, Physicists pays the most ($153,120).

Environmental Scientists and Specialists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Environmental Scientists and Specialists here earn $80,230 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $80,230 is roughly equivalent to $88,165 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($81,800), Iowa ($81,670), Ohio ($80,820) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in North Carolina?

The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in North Carolina is $80,230 per year (median $74,130), which is 12.5% below the national average of $91,680.

How does North Carolina rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?

North Carolina ranks 36th 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 North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in North Carolina earn about $49,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,820.

How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $38.57 per hour, based on the $80,230 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 4,150 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data