Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,720
- 25th Percentile — Junior$68,030
- 50th Percentile — Median$82,230
- 75th Percentile — Senior$102,750
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$135,580
Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Virginia earn more than $82,230. The top 10% make $135,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,720.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 18th of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $90,500 per year (1.3% below the U.S. average of $91,680).
- 2,850 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Virginia — 3.2% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.21: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,720; the top 10% earn over $135,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $43.51 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $133,190.
- Among science jobs in Virginia, Physicists pays the most ($159,320).
Environmental Scientists and Specialists Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Environmental Scientists and Specialists here earn $90,500 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $90,500 is roughly equivalent to $82,273 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($92,740), Illinois ($92,260), New Mexico ($92,050) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $159,320/yr Virginia +76.0% vs this role
- Economists $144,880/yr Virginia +60.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $127,300/yr Virginia +40.7% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $126,950/yr Virginia +40.3% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $124,880/yr Virginia +38.0% vs this role
- Hydrologists $119,240/yr Virginia +31.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $111,970/yr Virginia +23.7% vs this role
- Geoscientists $105,120/yr Virginia +16.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Virginia?
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Virginia is $90,500 per year (median $82,230), which is 1.3% below the national average of $91,680.
How does Virginia rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?
Virginia ranks 18th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Virginia earn about $57,720 per year and the 25th percentile is $68,030.
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in Virginia?
About $43.51 per hour, based on the $90,500 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in Virginia?
BLS counts 2,850 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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