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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Environmental Engineer in California is $83,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Entry Environmental Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Environmental Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $92,100 | $7,675 | $1,771 | $44 |
| Average | $83,500 | $6,958 | $1,606 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,500 | $6,375 | $1,471 | $37 |
EKI Environment & Water Inc - Daly City, CA
Apex Companies - Signal Hill, CA
Zobility - Fullerton, CA
CLEAR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC - San Francisco, CA
An Entry Environmental Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Environmental Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Environmental Engineer | 0-2 years | $83,450 |
| Intermediate Environmental Engineer | 2-4 years | $97,507 |
| Senior Environmental Engineer | 4-7 years | $115,033 |
| Specialist Environmental Engineer | 7+ years | $140,679 |
| Expert-Team Lead Environmental Engineer | 7-10 years | $171,764 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Environmental Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Entry Environmental Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,473. While startup companies pay approximate $79,076.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $79,076 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $83,633 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $90,265 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $93,473 |
For Entry Environmental Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Entry Environmental Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Environmental Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $112,725 | $54.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $108,550 | $52.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $100,200 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $100,200 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $96,025 | $46.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Entry Environmental Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $92,100 | $7,675 | $1,771 | $44 |
| Average | $83,500 | $6,958 | $1,606 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,500 | $6,375 | $1,471 | $37 |
For an Entry Environmental Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Environmental Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $97,600 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Environmental Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Terraphase Engineering Inc
Oakland, CA
Terraphase Engineering Inc | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Terraphase offers cost-effective solutions to complex environmental and engineering challenges. We listen to our clients ... more
6 Days Ago
Terraphase Engineering Inc
Oakland, CA
Terraphase Engineering Inc | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Terraphase offers cost-effective solutions to complex environmental and engineering challenges. We listen to our clients ... more
6 Days Ago
North Tower Environmental, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
North Tower Environmental, Inc. | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Entry Level Environmental Field Technician. Full Time. San Francisco, CA, US. Salary Range. $25.00 To $27.00 Hourly. Nort... more
3 Days Ago
Ahtna Solutions LLC
Monterey, CA
Ahtna Solutions LLC | Monterey, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Summary. The Senior Environmental Engineer will lead investigations and remediation projects at contaminated sites regula... more
3 Days Ago
Ahtna Solutions LLC
Concord, CA
Ahtna Solutions LLC | Concord, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Summary. The Senior Environmental Engineer will lead investigations and remediation projects at contaminated sites regula... more
3 Days Ago
Essel
Pleasanton, CA
Essel | Pleasanton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Responsibilities. Conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Phase II Investigations following ASTM Standards.... more
4 Days Ago
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