The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $67,460 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,070.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for environmental scientists and specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service
$99,260
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
68,410
Engineering services
67,830
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
65,320
State government, excluding education and hospitals
60,280
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may have to work more than 40 hours a week if they work in the field.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Median annual wages, May 2015
Physical scientists
$76,140
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$67,460
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics