Environmental Science Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Science Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Science Specialist in the United States is $59,956 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,996
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,751 to $65,211
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,923
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,751 10% $51,923 90% $69,996 75% $65,211 $59,956 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Environmental Science Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,211 $5,434 $1,254 $31
Average $59,956 $4,996 $1,153 $29
25th Percentile $55,751 $4,646 $1,072 $27
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Key Factors That Influence Environmental Science Specialist Salaries

An Environmental Science Specialist'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.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Science Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Science Specialist'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): $46,662
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,260
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,248
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,481
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,676
Levels Salary
Transacti... Level Environmental Science Specialist$46,662
Transacti... Level Environmental Science Specialist$52,260
Environme... Level Environmental Science Specialist$60,248
Transacti... Level Environmental Science Specialist$81,481
Transacti... Level Environmental Science Specialist$127,676
$46,662 0 yr
$52,260 < 2 yrs
$60,248 2-4 yrs
$81,481 5-8 yrs
$127,676 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Environmental Science Specialist 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 Science Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,384.
  • California: $66,132.
  • Massachusetts: $65,250.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Science Specialists

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: $75,623
  • San Francisco: $74,795
  • Oakland: $73,219

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Science Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 4.84% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Data Input (Mentioned in 3.33% Job Postings): Data input are information's that is provided to a computer or a software program. Input means to provide the program with some data to be used in it.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 4.84%
Data Input 3.33%
Accounting 1.51%
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 Science Specialist's salary.
  • Data Validation: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Economics: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Organizing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Validation
$71,947
20%
Economics
$71,348
19%
Organizing
$68,950
15%
Team Operations
$68,350
14%
Programming
$67,751
13%
Communicates Effectively
$64,753
8%
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Environmental Science Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Science Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Science Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Science Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Science Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$65,952$32.010%
Biotechnology$65,952$32.010%
Energy & Utilities$65,952$32.010%
Financial Services$65,952$32.010%
Healthcare$65,952$32.010%

Environmental Science Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Science Specialist'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

Salary Trends for Environmental Science Specialist

Salaries for an Environmental Science Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,224 in 2023 to around $68,620 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Environmental Science Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Environmental Science Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$69,224
2024
$69,403
2025
$68,620
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $69,224
2024 $69,403
2025 $68,620
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Environmental Science Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Environmental Science Specialist

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

Find Your Next Environmental Science Specialist Job

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

United States
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    CDL

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Environmental Science Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Science Specialist?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Science Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

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