Environmental Scientists and Specialists Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,140
- 25th Percentile — Junior$79,950
- 50th Percentile — Median$98,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$127,770
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$153,960
Half of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Washington earn more than $98,300. The top 10% make $153,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $71,140.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay, at $103,580 per year (13.0% above the U.S. average of $91,680).
- 4,470 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Washington — 5.0% of all U.S. Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 2.19: Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $71,140; the top 10% earn over $153,960.
- Hourly equivalent: $49.8 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $133,190.
- Among science jobs in Washington, Physicists pays the most ($149,060).
Environmental Scientists and Specialists Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Environmental Scientists and Specialists here earn $103,580 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $103,580 is roughly equivalent to $82,864 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($133,190), California ($112,360), Massachusetts ($104,760) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $149,060/yr Washington +43.9% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $139,140/yr Washington +34.3% vs this role
- Hydrologists $123,510/yr Washington +19.2% vs this role
- Economists $120,550/yr Washington +16.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $117,840/yr Washington +13.8% vs this role
- Geoscientists $117,140/yr Washington +13.1% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $113,120/yr Washington +9.2% vs this role
- Chemists $104,480/yr Washington +0.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Washington?
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary in Washington is $103,580 per year (median $98,300), which is 13.0% above the national average of $91,680.
How does Washington rank for Environmental Scientists and Specialists pay?
Washington ranks 5th 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Environmental Scientists and Specialists in Washington earn about $71,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $79,950.
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists make per hour in Washington?
About $49.8 per hour, based on the $103,580 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Environmental Scientists and Specialists work in Washington?
BLS counts 4,470 Environmental Scientists and Specialists jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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