Environmental Scientists and Specialists Salary by State
Also called: Environmental Scientists and Specialists
The national median pay for environmental scientists and specialists is $82,220 a year. By state, it ranges from $57,220 in Arkansas to $132,620 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $52,520
- 25th percentile
- $64,490
- Median
- $82,220
- 75th percentile
- $107,970
- Top 10%
- $140,010
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 89,250 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $132,620 | +61% | $78,270 | $185,220 | 1,270 |
| 2 | California | $106,510 | +30% | $65,350 | $161,910 | 12,490 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $100,730 | +23% | $66,420 | $139,050 | 330 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $100,640 | +22% | $63,460 | $139,310 | 2,930 |
| 5 | Washington | $98,300 | +20% | $71,140 | $153,960 | 4,470 |
| 6 | Oregon | $97,440 | +19% | $62,200 | $132,190 | 1,370 |
| 7 | Texas | $92,000 | +12% | $60,080 | $163,110 | 5,630 |
| 8 | Alaska | $91,960 | +12% | $61,840 | $147,910 | 860 |
| 9 | Utah | $90,710 | +10% | $55,410 | $149,990 | 1,020 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $88,000 | +7% | $35,510 | $133,570 | 2,260 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $86,630 | +5% | $60,920 | $129,080 | 940 |
| 12 | Colorado | $85,990 | +5% | $65,260 | $140,340 | 2,580 |
| 13 | Georgia | $85,710 | +4% | $56,470 | $162,410 | 1,750 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $84,570 | +3% | $60,110 | $109,300 | 240 |
| 15 | Maryland | $84,190 | +2% | $57,840 | $137,440 | 1,760 |
| 16 | Nevada | $83,050 | +1% | $57,570 | $138,740 | 490 |
| 17 | Virginia | $82,230 | 0% | $57,720 | $135,580 | 2,850 |
| 18 | New York | $82,160 | 0% | $58,240 | $139,490 | 3,700 |
| 19 | West Virginia | $82,100 | 0% | $51,520 | $119,020 | 250 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $82,070 | 0% | $60,820 | $130,620 | 620 |
| 21 | Illinois | $81,590 | −1% | $46,540 | $153,150 | 1,550 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $80,810 | −2% | $59,230 | $111,840 | 480 |
| 23 | Arizona | $80,600 | −2% | $57,100 | $160,910 | 1,970 |
| 24 | Montana | $80,260 | −2% | $64,290 | $124,800 | 570 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $79,510 | −3% | $53,500 | $111,700 | 670 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $79,210 | −4% | $52,760 | $130,590 | 3,150 |
| 27 | Iowa | $78,780 | −4% | $54,340 | $117,040 | 690 |
| 28 | Ohio | $78,540 | −4% | $50,610 | $109,490 | 2,460 |
| 29 | Kansas | $78,210 | −5% | $56,120 | $136,990 | 590 |
| 30 | Vermont | $77,460 | −6% | $58,570 | $111,700 | 490 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $76,840 | −7% | $54,040 | $133,180 | 1,230 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $76,110 | −7% | $50,660 | $125,520 | 3,020 |
| 33 | Michigan | $76,080 | −7% | $52,300 | $111,770 | 3,100 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $75,910 | −8% | $43,590 | $119,150 | 520 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $74,910 | −9% | $46,200 | $133,470 | 490 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $74,130 | −10% | $49,320 | $125,930 | 4,150 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $74,050 | −10% | $58,510 | $100,670 | 410 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $72,820 | −11% | $48,580 | $104,360 | 920 |
| 39 | Alabama | $72,490 | −12% | $41,260 | $114,900 | 870 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $71,040 | −14% | $48,540 | $94,840 | 1,000 |
| 41 | Idaho | $70,350 | −14% | $53,360 | $108,100 | 670 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $69,820 | −15% | $49,890 | $132,810 | 1,600 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $68,230 | −17% | $49,390 | $97,060 | 240 |
| 44 | Maine | $66,480 | −19% | $49,280 | $107,100 | 530 |
| 45 | Indiana | $64,700 | −21% | $46,830 | $124,380 | 1,290 |
| 46 | Delaware | $64,690 | −21% | $50,220 | $106,060 | 290 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $64,040 | −22% | $52,110 | $101,190 | 510 |
| 48 | Missouri | $61,050 | −26% | $49,140 | $88,710 | 1,380 |
| 49 | Florida | $60,830 | −26% | $42,600 | $109,290 | 5,950 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $57,780 | −30% | $37,230 | $112,260 | 390 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $57,220 | −30% | $35,580 | $122,270 | 270 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary questions
Which state pays environmental scientists and specialists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $132,620 a year (+61% vs. the national median of $82,220). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays environmental scientists and specialists the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $57,220 a year (−30% vs. national).
Where do most environmental scientists and specialists work?
California has the most jobs, about 12,490, with a median of $106,510.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.