Environmental Scientists’ Salaries Across the United States: A State-by-State Analysis
Environmental scientists are vital in tackling the world’s pressing ecological and environmental challenges. They work to protect the environment and human health by conducting research, analyzing data, and developing strategies to mitigate environmental issues. Salaries for environmental scientists vary across the United States due to factors such as industry demand, cost of living, and state-specific environmental initiatives. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries in all 50 states.
Alabama
- Average Salary: $58,000
Alabama’s industries in agriculture and water management create steady demand for environmental scientists, offering moderate pay.
Alaska
- Average Salary: $74,000
Alaska’s pristine natural environment and resource management projects drive above-average salaries for environmental scientists.
Arizona
- Average Salary: $65,000
Arizona offers competitive salaries for environmental scientists, particularly in water conservation and desert ecosystem research.
Arkansas
- Average Salary: $57,000
Arkansas’ environmental sector focuses on forestry and water quality, with salaries slightly below the national average.
California
- Average Salary: $85,000
California leads in environmental research and sustainability projects, offering some of the highest salaries in the nation.
Colorado
- Average Salary: $72,000
Colorado’s emphasis on renewable energy and conservation provides strong opportunities and competitive salaries.
Connecticut
- Average Salary: $76,000
Connecticut offers high salaries for environmental scientists due to its focus on clean energy and pollution control.
Delaware
- Average Salary: $68,000
Environmental scientists in Delaware earn above-average pay, particularly in coastal preservation and air quality management.
Florida
- Average Salary: $62,000
Florida’s diverse ecosystems and focus on climate change adaptation provide steady demand for environmental scientists.
Georgia
- Average Salary: $60,000
Georgia’s growing environmental sector offers decent pay for scientists working in water and soil conservation.
Hawaii
- Average Salary: $75,000
Hawaii’s unique biodiversity and emphasis on sustainability result in high salaries for environmental scientists.
Idaho
- Average Salary: $62,000
Idaho’s environmental scientists often work in forestry and water resource management, earning competitive wages.
Illinois
- Average Salary: $68,000
Illinois provides strong opportunities for environmental scientists, particularly in urban pollution control and renewable energy.
Indiana
- Average Salary: $60,000
Indiana offers moderate salaries for environmental scientists, with a focus on agriculture and water quality.
Iowa
- Average Salary: $62,000
Iowa’s environmental efforts center on agricultural sustainability, offering competitive pay for scientists.
Kansas
- Average Salary: $58,000
Kansas focuses on water conservation and soil health, providing steady opportunities for environmental scientists.
Kentucky
- Average Salary: $57,000
Kentucky’s coal mining history has driven demand for environmental scientists in reclamation and pollution mitigation.
Louisiana
- Average Salary: $63,000
Louisiana’s focus on coastal restoration and hurricane resilience creates well-paying opportunities for environmental scientists.
Maine
- Average Salary: $65,000
Environmental scientists in Maine often work on forest management and marine conservation, earning competitive salaries.
Maryland
- Average Salary: $72,000
Maryland’s environmental initiatives, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay, offer high-paying jobs for scientists.
Massachusetts
- Average Salary: $80,000
Massachusetts leads in environmental research and innovation, providing some of the highest salaries for scientists.
Michigan
- Average Salary: $62,000
Michigan’s environmental efforts focus on Great Lakes protection, offering competitive salaries for scientists.
Minnesota
- Average Salary: $66,000
Minnesota’s emphasis on water quality and renewable energy provides strong opportunities for environmental scientists.
Mississippi
- Average Salary: $55,000
Mississippi offers lower salaries for environmental scientists, reflecting its smaller environmental sector.
Missouri
- Average Salary: $60,000
Missouri’s environmental sector focuses on soil and water conservation, offering average pay for scientists.
Montana
- Average Salary: $64,000
Montana’s pristine landscapes and focus on natural resource management drive competitive salaries for scientists.
Nebraska
- Average Salary: $58,000
Nebraska’s environmental scientists often work on agricultural sustainability and water conservation.
Nevada
- Average Salary: $65,000
Nevada’s focus on desert ecosystems and renewable energy creates strong demand for environmental scientists.
New Hampshire
- Average Salary: $68,000
New Hampshire offers above-average salaries for environmental scientists, particularly in forest and wildlife management.
New Jersey
- Average Salary: $74,000
New Jersey’s emphasis on pollution control and coastal management results in high salaries for scientists.
New Mexico
- Average Salary: $63,000
New Mexico’s desert ecosystem research and renewable energy projects offer competitive pay.
New York
- Average Salary: $82,000
New York’s aggressive environmental policies and urban sustainability projects provide high salaries for scientists.
North Carolina
- Average Salary: $64,000
North Carolina offers steady opportunities in soil conservation and water management, with competitive pay.
North Dakota
- Average Salary: $60,000
North Dakota’s environmental scientists often work in oil and gas reclamation projects.
Ohio
- Average Salary: $62,000
Ohio’s environmental efforts focus on industrial pollution control and water quality.
Oklahoma
- Average Salary: $60,000
Oklahoma offers moderate salaries, with opportunities in land reclamation and renewable energy.
Oregon
- Average Salary: $75,000
Oregon’s focus on environmental sustainability and renewable energy drives high salaries for scientists.
Pennsylvania
- Average Salary: $65,000
Environmental scientists in Pennsylvania often work in mining reclamation and pollution mitigation, earning competitive pay.
Rhode Island
- Average Salary: $70,000
Rhode Island’s focus on coastal ecosystems and marine research results in high salaries for scientists.
South Carolina
- Average Salary: $62,000
South Carolina’s environmental sector focuses on water quality and forest management.
South Dakota
- Average Salary: $58,000
South Dakota offers steady opportunities for environmental scientists in agricultural sustainability.
Tennessee
- Average Salary: $61,000
Tennessee’s environmental efforts center on water quality and forest conservation.
Texas
- Average Salary: $68,000
Texas provides strong opportunities for environmental scientists, particularly in energy and pollution control.
Utah
- Average Salary: $63,000
Utah’s focus on desert conservation and renewable energy supports competitive pay for scientists.
Vermont
- Average Salary: $66,000
Vermont’s emphasis on forest management and renewable energy creates steady opportunities for scientists.
Virginia
- Average Salary: $70,000
Virginia’s environmental efforts include coastal restoration and pollution control, offering high salaries.
Washington
- Average Salary: $78,000
Washington’s leadership in sustainability and renewable energy results in some of the highest salaries for environmental scientists.
West Virginia
- Average Salary: $57,000
West Virginia focuses on coal reclamation and pollution mitigation, offering moderate salaries for scientists.
Wisconsin
- Average Salary: $62,000
Wisconsin’s environmental sector focuses on water and forest conservation, with competitive pay.
Wyoming
- Average Salary: $61,000
Wyoming’s environmental scientists often work on land and wildlife conservation, earning average salaries.
Conclusion
Environmental scientists’ salaries vary across the United States based on state-specific environmental challenges and initiatives. States like California, Massachusetts, and Washington lead in offering top salaries, while opportunities remain steady in areas with growing environmental sectors.
