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Water Quality Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Water Quality Scientist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Water Quality Scientist in the United States is $60,555 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Water Quality Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,032
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,181 to $70,750
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,198
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Water Quality Scientist Salaries

A Water Quality Scientist'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 Water Quality Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Water Quality Scientist'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): $59,340
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,522
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,947
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,433
  • Expert (over 8 years): $61,199
Levels Salary
Entry Level Water Quality Scientist$59,340
Intermediate Level Water Quality Scientist$59,522
Senior Level Water Quality Scientist$59,947
Specialist Level Water Quality Scientist$60,433
Expert Level Water Quality Scientist$61,199
View as Graph

How Do Water Quality Scientist 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 Water Quality Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,046.
  • California: $66,792.
  • Massachusetts: $65,902.

Top Paying Cities for Water Quality Scientists

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: $76,378
  • San Francisco: $75,541
  • Oakland: $73,949

What Skills Can Increase a Water Quality Scientist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.71%
Guest Service 12.71%
Housekeeping 12.71%
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 a Water Quality Scientist's salary.

  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative $70,243
16%
Verbal Communication $64,188
6%
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Water Quality Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Water Quality Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Water Quality Scientist positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Water Quality Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Water Quality Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$90,832$44.050%

How Education impacts a Water Quality Scientist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Water Quality Scientists enter the field with a Associate'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 a Water Quality Scientist with a Associate's Degree is between $59,584 and $64,845).

Water Quality Scientist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Water Quality Scientist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 50.5%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Water Quality Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Water Quality Scientist'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
$56,181
Average $60,555/year
$70,750
$4,682
Average $5,046/month
$5,896
$1,080
Average $1,165/week
$1,361
$27
Average $29/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,750 $5,896 $1,361 $34
Average $60,555 $5,046 $1,165 $29
25th Percentile $56,181 $4,682 $1,080 $27

Most common benefits for Water Quality Scientist

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

Common company salaries for Water Quality Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Water Quality Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Water Quality Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Water Quality Scientist?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Water Quality Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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