Environmental Technician Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Technician in the United States is $61,768 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,770
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,487 to $72,238
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,679

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Technician Salaries

An Environmental Technician'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 Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Technician'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $52,151
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $60,998
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,982
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,476
  • Expert (over 8 years): $90,942
Levels Salary
Environme... Level Environmental Technician$52,151
Environme... Level Environmental Technician$60,998
Environme... Level Environmental Technician$67,982
Environme... Level Environmental Technician$84,476
Environme... Level Environmental Technician$90,942

How Do Environmental Technician 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 Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,389.
  • California: $68,130.
  • Massachusetts: $67,222.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Technicians

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: $77,907
  • San Francisco: $77,054
  • Oakland: $75,431

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 4.15% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Environmental Protection (Mentioned in 3.78% Job Postings): Designing, developing, and implementing programs and conservation measures to protect environmental and public health.
  • Safety Procedures (Mentioned in 2.72% Job Postings): Establishing and implementing rules and procedures to prevent potential hazards and risks to ensure a safe and productive working environment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 4.15%
Environmental Protection 3.78%
Safety Procedures 2.72%

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 Technician's salary.

  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Service Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Mechanical Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prioritization $72,268
17%
Service Operations $68,562
11%
Mechanical Maintenance $66,091
7%

Environmental Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Technician positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Environmental Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$74,121$36.020%

How Education impacts an Environmental Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Technicians enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Technician with a Bachelor's Degree is between $64,203 and $68,563).

Environmental Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 16.7%
High School 16.7%
Associates 7.1%
Bachelors 47.6%
Masters 26.2%
Doctorate 2.4%

Environmental Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Technician'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 September 01, 2026
$56,487
Average $61,768/year
$72,238
$4,707
Average $5,147/month
$6,020
$1,086
Average $1,188/week
$1,389
$27
Average $30/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,238 $6,020 $1,389 $35
Average $61,768 $5,147 $1,188 $30
25th Percentile $56,487 $4,707 $1,086 $27

Most common benefits for Environmental Technician

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

Common company salaries for Environmental Technician

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

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FAQ about Environmental Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Technician?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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