How much does an Environmental Scientist make?

The national average salary for an Environmental Scientist is $70,672 per year in United States. Filter by location to see an Environmental Scientist salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 4106 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Environmental Scientist employees.

The highest salary for an Environmental Scientist in United States is $105,320 per year.

The lowest salary for an Environmental Scientist in United States is $47,422 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Environmental Scientist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Environmental Scientist.

Environmental scientists usually receive slightly lower pay than other Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) researchers. Environmental scientists who work for the federal government or private sector firms generally earn more than those who work for colleges or universities. They can improve their earnings through promotion and securing new grants, both of which generally occur after repeated publication in top scientific journals. The intersection of environmental science and computer science is growing quickly, so candidates who develop expertise in these areas may command higher salaries.

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Of the anonymous Glassdoor users that report making a living as environmental scientists, 67% are satisfied with their earnings. Other factors that can add $16,061.62 to your annual income and increase satisfaction include bonuses and profit sharing.

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On average, environmental scientists make $70,671.86 per year; your salary could be anywhere from {{TOTAL_PAY_LOW}} to {{TOTAL_PAY_HIGH}}. If your employer offers bonuses, your total annual compensation could fall between $56,737.92 and $134,712.92. Your salary is likely to increase as you become more experienced, earn advanced degrees, or move into senior and lead positions on the environmental scientist career path.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

Skills, education, and experience can impact your salary as an environmental scientist. Start by improving your skills in field sampling, data analysis, and Geographic Information System (GIS) software. You can also learn the processes for American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) environmental site assessments. Since reports and proposals are often a part of the job, you might also consider taking a technical or science writing course.

Continuing education can also increase your salary. Earn a master's degree or Ph.D. in environmental science, life science, or environmental planning. For jobs that involve environmental cleanup, look into courses that help you get the OSHA HAZWOPER certification.

Do you want to make a higher environmental scientist salary? If your current compensation is low compared to other local environmental scientist jobs, you might be in a good position to negotiate.

Examine the requirements and duties of the job, and show your employer how your skills and work history enable you to perform at the highest levels. Be specific; if the position involves ASTM site assessments, talk about a course you completed on standard practices. Highlight your scientific journal publications, or show how your data analysis contributed to a well-known environmental research project.