Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Environmental Planner I Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Planner I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Planner I in the United States is $66,817 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Environmental Planner I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,071
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,803 to $75,325
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,507
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Planner I Salaries

An Environmental Planner I'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Planner I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Planner I'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:

  • Environmental Planner I (0-2 years): $66,817
  • Environmental Planner II (2-4 years): $80,838
  • Environmental Planner III (4-7 years): $97,637
  • Environmental Planner IV (7+ years): $113,175
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Environmental Planner I0-2 years$66,817
Environmental Planner II2-4 years$80,838
Environmental Planner III4-7 years$97,637
Environmental Planner IV7+ years$113,175
View as Graph

How Do Environmental Planner Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Environmental Planner Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,980.
  • California: $73,699.
  • Massachusetts: $72,717.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Planner I

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:

  • San Jose: $84,276
  • San Francisco: $83,354
  • Oakland: $81,597

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Planner I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 40.31% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
  • Community Development (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." It is a broad concept, applied to the practices of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens, and professionals to improve various aspects of communities, typically aiming to build stronger and more resilient local communities. Community development is also understood as a professional discipline, and is defined by the International Association for Community Development (www.iacdglobal.org), the global network of community development practitioners and scholars, as "a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy, sustainable development, rights, economic opportunity, equality and social justice, through the organisation, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings".
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 40.31%
Supply Chain 1.77%
Community Development 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Environmental Planner I's salary.

  • Purchasing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Purchasing $74,167
11%
Organizational Skills $69,490
4%
Commitment $69,490
4%
Get Latest Data

Environmental Planner I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Environmental Planner I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $74,798. While startup companies pay approximate $63,277.

Environmental Planner I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $63,277
Growth Stage 51~500 $66,923
Established 501~5000 $72,231
Enterprise 5000+ $74,798

Environmental Planner I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Planner I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Planner positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Planner I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Planner I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$83,521$40.025%
Financial Services$80,180$39.020%
Software & Networking$80,180$39.020%
Energy & Utilities$76,840$37.015%
Pharmaceuticals$76,840$37.015%

How Education impacts an Environmental Planner I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Planner I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Environmental Planner I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $68,345 and $73,638.

Environmental Planner I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Planner I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.5%
High School 6.5%
Associates 3.2%
Bachelors 35.5%
Masters 51.6%
Doctorate 3.2%
View as Graph

Environmental Planner I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Planner I'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$58,803
Average $66,817/year
$75,325
$4,900
Average $5,568/month
$6,277
$1,131
Average $1,285/week
$1,449
$28
Average $32/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,325 $6,277 $1,449 $36
Average $66,817 $5,568 $1,285 $32
25th Percentile $58,803 $4,900 $1,131 $28

Environmental Planner I Salary Growth & Career Path

Environmental Planner I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Environmental Planner I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Environmental Planner II $80,838 21%
Sustainability Analyst I $78,261 17%

Most common benefits for Environmental Planner I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Environmental Planner I

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Planner I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Environmental Planner I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Environmental Planner I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Environmental Planner I

1. Where can an Environmental Planner I earn the most?

An Environmental Planner I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Environmental Planner I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Environmental Planner I is $84,276.

2. What is the highest pay for Environmental Planner I?

The highest pay for Environmental Planner I is $83,071.

3. What is the lowest pay for Environmental Planner I?

The lowest pay for Environmental Planner I is $51,507.

4. What are the responsibilities of Environmental Planner I?

Plans, prepares, and monitors environmental research and evaluates potential impact of assigned projects. Ensures environmental projects are in compliance with the state and federal regulations. Estimate the level of pollutants involving air, land, and water to devise mitigating measures. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Planner I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Planner I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst