Environmental Sampling Technician Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Sampling Technician in the United States is $61,164 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,081
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,792 to $70,543
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,902

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Sampling Technician Salaries

An Environmental Sampling 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 Sampling Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Sampling 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): $52,608
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,537
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,584
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,218
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,736
Levels Salary
Environme... Level Environmental Sampling Technician$52,608
Environme... Level Environmental Sampling Technician$61,537
Environme... Level Environmental Sampling Technician$68,584
Environme... Level Environmental Sampling Technician$85,218
Environme... Level Environmental Sampling Technician$91,736

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Sampling 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: $77,146
  • San Francisco: $76,301
  • Oakland: $74,693

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Sampling 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 Sampling 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 $71,562
17%
Service Operations $67,892
11%
Mechanical Maintenance $65,445
7%

Environmental Sampling Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Sampling 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 Sampling Technician positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Sampling Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Environmental Sampling Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$73,397$35.020%

How Education impacts an Environmental Sampling Technician's Salary?

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

Environmental Sampling Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Sampling 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 Sampling Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Sampling 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 October 01, 2026
$55,792
Average $61,164/year
$70,543
$4,649
Average $5,097/month
$5,879
$1,073
Average $1,176/week
$1,357
$27
Average $29/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,543 $5,879 $1,357 $34
Average $61,164 $5,097 $1,176 $29
25th Percentile $55,792 $4,649 $1,073 $27

Most common benefits for Environmental Sampling Technician

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

Common company salaries for Environmental Sampling Technician

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

Find Your Next Environmental Sampling Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Environmental Sampling Technician 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 Sampling Technician

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Sampling 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.

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