The 10 States With The Highest Environmental Scientist Salaries For 2026

In today’s job market, salary remains a top priority for job seekers, especially for those in specialized fields like environmental science. Individuals often ask, “What do environmental scientists earn in my state?”

While numerous factors influence individual salaries, including experience and education, we can provide valuable insights into average salaries for environmental scientists across the United States, categorized by state and seniority level. These averages serve as a reliable benchmark for what you can expect to earn.

For 2026, the state offering the highest salary for environmental scientists is Illinois, followed closely by Michigan and Texas.

Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for environmental scientist salaries:

To gain a clearer understanding of how environmental scientist salaries vary nationwide, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which provides insights into average earnings by state.

Moreover, we factored in the cost of living in each state, as this significantly impacts how far your salary can stretch—your earnings will have different purchasing power in North Carolina compared to California.

Let’s delve into the methodology and explore a comprehensive ranking of salaries by state.

How We Determined Environmental Scientist Pay by State

Our analysis began with the average annual salary data for environmental scientists sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure an equitable comparison of salaries across states, we adjusted for the cost of living. This involved creating an index by dividing the average wage for each state by the relative cost of living. For instance, with a cost of living index of 135.9 in California and an average salary of $94,350, our adjusted salary would be calculated as:

$94,350 * (100 / 135.9) = $69,426

States were then ranked according to this index, with the highest value indicating the best average salary for environmental scientists.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the full ranking of all states.

Detailed List Of Environmental Scientist Salaries By State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Illinois	$96,205	$91,010	94.6
2	Michigan	$89,831	$79,950	89.0
3	Texas	$86,471	$78,430	90.7
4	Colorado	$85,732	$88,990	103.8
5	Virginia	$83,680	$84,350	100.8
6	Louisiana	$83,227	$78,900	94.8
7	New Mexico	$82,507	$79,620	96.5
8	Washington	$82,233	$86,510	105.2
9	Minnesota	$81,706	$82,360	100.8
10	Ohio	$80,660	$75,660	93.8
11	Idaho	$79,793	$73,490	92.1
12	New Jersey	$78,802	$96,060	121.9
13	Kansas	$78,709	$70,760	89.9
14	Arkansas	$78,438	$68,320	87.1
15	Georgia	$78,424	$71,680	91.4
16	Iowa	$77,923	$70,910	91.0
17	Wisconsin	$77,179	$74,710	96.8
18	Oklahoma	$76,905	$68,600	89.2
19	Tennessee	$76,800	$68,660	89.4
20	Utah	$76,473	$71,120	93.0
21	Wyoming	$75,827	$69,610	91.8
22	North Carolina	$75,644	$71,030	93.9
23	West Virginia	$74,925	$69,980	93.4
24	Pennsylvania	$73,708	$74,740	101.4
25	Alabama	$73,355	$66,900	91.2
26	Massachusetts	$71,791	$95,770	133.4
27	Oregon	$71,704	$82,890	115.6
28	Indiana	$71,675	$64,150	89.5
29	Nebraska	$71,659	$65,640	91.6
30	New Hampshire	$69,931	$81,820	117.0
31	California	$69,426	$94,350	135.9
32	Montana	$68,898	$69,450	100.8
33	Rhode Island	$68,873	$83,130	120.7
34	New York	$68,709	$90,010	131.0
35	Nevada	$68,393	$70,650	103.3
36	Arizona	$67,744	$66,390	98.0
37	South Carolina	$67,338	$66,800	99.2
38	Connecticut	$66,499	$84,920	127.7
39	Alaska	$65,758	$86,210	131.1
40	Kentucky	$65,049	$58,870	90.5
41	Maryland	$64,565	$81,030	125.5
42	North Dakota	$63,490	$63,110	99.4
43	Florida	$63,011	$61,940	98.3
44	Mississippi	$62,083	$53,330	85.9
45	South Dakota	$60,665	$62,910	103.7
46	Maine	$60,018	$66,500	110.8
47	Vermont	$59,702	$72,300	121.1
48	Delaware	$56,834	$57,630	101.4
49	Hawaii	$44,556	$74,810	167.9

In conclusion, understanding environmental scientist salaries by state is crucial for professionals in the field. By considering both salary and cost of living, you can make informed decisions about where to focus your job search. As environmental issues continue to gain prominence, the demand for skilled environmental scientists is expected to remain strong, making this an excellent time to enter or advance in the field.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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