Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn a median $82,220 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What environmental scientists and specialists, including health do
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.1% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 7,300
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists, including health is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,258
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,098
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,192
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,672
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,520 | $25.25 | $44,380 |
| 25th percentile | $64,490 | $31.00 | $53,998 |
| Median (50th) | $82,220 | $39.53 | $66,672 |
| 75th percentile | $107,970 | $51.91 | $84,787 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,010 | $67.31 | $106,963 |
Best cities for environmental scientists and specialists, including health (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,980 | $81,276 | $73,134 | 2,490 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $108,430 | $77,847 | $72,979 | 3,520 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $108,160 | $78,695 | $72,275 | 2,710 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,340 | $76,000 | $66,922 | 2,520 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $85,510 | $64,966 | $57,715 | 3,350 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Sacramento, CA — $108,430
- Washington, DC — $108,160
- Los Angeles, CA — $105,340
- Seattle, WA — $102,980
- New York, NY — $85,510
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $132,620 | +8.3% | $93,608 | $78,270 – $185,220 | 1,270 |
| California | $106,510 | +9.2% | $76,699 | $65,350 – $161,910 | 12,490 |
| Rhode Island | $100,730 | +11.4% | $76,511 | $66,420 – $139,050 | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | +4.5% | $74,818 | $63,460 – $139,310 | 2,930 |
| Washington | $98,300 | +10.9% | $77,984 | $71,140 – $153,960 | 4,470 |
| Oregon | $97,440 | +4.1% | $69,683 | $62,200 – $132,190 | 1,370 |
| Texas | $92,000 | +17.1% | $73,552 | $60,080 – $163,110 | 5,630 |
| Alaska | $91,960 | +5.6% | $73,524 | $61,840 – $147,910 | 860 |
| Utah | $90,710 | +11.3% | $69,529 | $55,410 – $149,990 | 1,020 |
| Minnesota | $88,000 | +0.9% | $66,277 | $35,510 – $133,570 | 2,260 |
| New Mexico | $86,630 | +9.3% | $66,860 | $60,920 – $129,080 | 940 |
| Colorado | $85,990 | −0.8% | $66,249 | $65,260 – $140,340 | 2,580 |
| Georgia | $85,710 | +4.5% | $65,301 | $56,470 – $162,410 | 1,750 |
| North Dakota | $84,570 | +4.1% | $67,935 | $60,110 – $109,300 | 240 |
| Maryland | $84,190 | +2.5% | $64,422 | $57,840 – $137,440 | 1,760 |
| Nevada | $83,050 | +3.2% | $67,256 | $57,570 – $138,740 | 490 |
| Virginia | $82,230 | +5.2% | $62,765 | $57,720 – $135,580 | 2,850 |
| New York | $82,160 | +2.4% | $62,790 | $58,240 – $139,490 | 3,700 |
| West Virginia | $82,100 | +5.3% | $63,565 | $51,520 – $119,020 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $82,070 | +0.9% | $63,627 | $60,820 – $130,620 | 620 |
| Illinois | $81,590 | −8.3% | $62,335 | $46,540 – $153,150 | 1,550 |
| New Hampshire | $80,810 | +2.0% | $65,680 | $59,230 – $111,840 | 480 |
| Arizona | $80,600 | +2.2% | $63,726 | $57,100 – $160,910 | 1,970 |
| Montana | $80,260 | +2.2% | $62,119 | $64,290 – $124,800 | 570 |
| Hawaii | $79,510 | +5.9% | $60,253 | $53,500 – $111,700 | 670 |
| New Jersey | $79,210 | −0.9% | $61,699 | $52,760 – $130,590 | 3,150 |
| Iowa | $78,780 | +6.4% | $61,910 | $54,340 – $117,040 | 690 |
| Ohio | $78,540 | −2.6% | $62,705 | $50,610 – $109,490 | 2,460 |
| Kansas | $78,210 | +6.7% | $60,286 | $56,120 – $136,990 | 590 |
| Vermont | $77,460 | +11.7% | $60,671 | $58,570 – $111,700 | 490 |
| Tennessee | $76,840 | −0.1% | $62,887 | $54,040 – $133,180 | 1,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,110 | +4.2% | $60,037 | $50,660 – $125,520 | 3,020 |
| Michigan | $76,080 | −0.8% | $59,370 | $52,300 – $111,770 | 3,100 |
| Oklahoma | $75,910 | +12.4% | $59,362 | $43,590 – $119,150 | 520 |
| South Carolina | $74,910 | +13.6% | $58,192 | $46,200 – $133,470 | 490 |
| North Carolina | $74,130 | +12.7% | $58,531 | $49,320 – $125,930 | 4,150 |
| Wyoming | $74,050 | −0.0% | $60,924 | $58,510 – $100,670 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $72,820 | +5.6% | $57,580 | $48,580 – $104,360 | 920 |
| Alabama | $72,490 | −2.9% | $56,467 | $41,260 – $114,900 | 870 |
| Kentucky | $71,040 | +3.0% | $56,438 | $48,540 – $94,840 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $70,350 | +5.5% | $55,701 | $53,360 – $108,100 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $69,820 | +3.8% | $56,240 | $49,890 – $132,810 | 1,600 |
| South Dakota | $68,230 | −4.6% | $56,830 | $49,390 – $97,060 | 240 |
| Maine | $66,480 | +9.2% | $52,291 | $49,280 – $107,100 | 530 |
| Indiana | $64,700 | −16.4% | $52,287 | $46,830 – $124,380 | 1,290 |
| Delaware | $64,690 | +3.0% | $51,230 | $50,220 – $106,060 | 290 |
| Nebraska | $64,040 | +4.5% | $51,602 | $52,110 – $101,190 | 510 |
| Missouri | $61,050 | −9.1% | $49,302 | $49,140 – $88,710 | 1,380 |
| Florida | $60,830 | +2.2% | $51,057 | $42,600 – $109,290 | 5,950 |
| Mississippi | $57,780 | +4.8% | $47,027 | $37,230 – $112,260 | 390 |
| Arkansas | $57,220 | −24.3% | $46,137 | $35,580 – $122,270 | 270 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrologist | $96,600 | Bachelor's degree | +1.5% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Chemist | $91,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $99,070 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% |
| Materials Scientist | $117,790 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | Bachelor's degree | +2.1% |
| Astronomer | $128,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.8% |
| Physicist | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $78,850 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree | +18.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a environmental scientists and specialists, including health make?
The national median salary for environmental scientists and specialists, including health is $82,220 a year ($39.53 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,520 and the top 10% earn over $140,010. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays environmental scientists and specialists, including health the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $132,620. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many environmental scientists and specialists, including health are there in the U.S.?
About 89,250 people work as environmental scientists and specialists, including health nationwide.