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Air pollution specialist salary
Average air pollution specialist salary
$69,302
Understanding the Air Pollution Specialist Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Air Pollution Specialist is approximately $69,302 annually, which translates to about $33 per hour. This salary can vary based on factors such as experience, education, and location. For instance, specialists in states like California and New York tend to earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for environmental services.
In addition to the base salary, many Air Pollution Specialists have opportunities for career advancement and specialization in areas such as regulatory compliance, environmental science, and public health. These advancements often lead to increased earning potential. Furthermore, professionals may find roles in various sectors, including government organizations, consulting firms, and non-profits, each offering unique salary ranges and benefits.
Salary Variations by State
Examining the salary by state reveals significant differences. For example:
- California: $75,000
- New York: $73,000
- Texas: $65,000
These figures illustrate the importance of location in salary negotiations and career planning for aspiring Air Pollution Specialists.
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Where can an Air Pollution Specialist earn more?
Air pollution specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average air pollution specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for air pollution specialists are Massachusetts, Virginia, and Connecticut. The lowest average air pollution specialist salary states are Wyoming, South Dakota, and Iowa.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for air pollution specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $105,700 | $50.82 |
| 2 | Virginia | $87,521 | $42.08 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $100,582 | $48.36 |
| 4 | Ohio | $73,157 | $35.17 |
| 5 | Nevada | $78,136 | $37.57 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $86,909 | $41.78 |
| 7 | Texas | $76,711 | $36.88 |
| 8 | California | $83,273 | $40.04 |
| 9 | Maryland | $79,621 | $38.28 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $80,336 | $38.62 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $73,369 | $35.27 |
| 12 | Indiana | $68,744 | $33.05 |
| 13 | Illinois | $71,795 | $34.52 |
| 14 | Delaware | $79,109 | $38.03 |
| 15 | Michigan | $72,878 | $35.04 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $76,853 | $36.95 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $69,773 | $33.54 |
| 18 | Colorado | $70,108 | $33.71 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $78,396 | $37.69 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $69,391 | $33.36 |
| 21 | Idaho | $64,003 | $30.77 |
| 22 | New York | $76,549 | $36.80 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $66,823 | $32.13 |
| 24 | Georgia | $68,767 | $33.06 |
| 25 | Washington | $69,739 | $33.53 |
| 26 | Kansas | $66,211 | $31.83 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| 28 | Arizona | $64,636 | $31.07 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $66,843 | $32.14 |
| 30 | Oregon | $69,950 | $33.63 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $58,219 | $27.99 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $61,348 | $29.49 |
| 33 | Vermont | $60,128 | $28.91 |
| 34 | Maine | $59,299 | $28.51 |
| 35 | Alaska | $54,372 | $26.14 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $52,663 | $25.32 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $54,749 | $26.32 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $52,189 | $25.09 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $53,865 | $25.90 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| 42 | Utah | $59,434 | $28.57 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $59,591 | $28.65 |
| 44 | Florida | $49,098 | $23.60 |
| 45 | Missouri | $56,851 | $27.33 |
| 46 | Montana | $60,146 | $28.92 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $51,679 | $24.85 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $55,558 | $26.71 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $53,377 | $25.66 |
| 50 | Iowa | $52,014 | $25.01 |
| 51 | Alabama | $49,440 | $23.77 |
Highest paying cities for air pollution specialists
The highest-paying cities for air pollution specialists are Sacramento, CA, Grass Valley, CA, and El Monte, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $84,370 | $40.56 |
| 2 | Grass Valley, CA | $83,664 | $40.22 |
| 3 | El Monte, CA | $82,473 | $39.65 |
| 4 | Reno, NV | $79,793 | $38.36 |
| 5 | Englewood, CO | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $47,073 | $22.63 |
Air pollution specialist salary details
An air pollution specialist's salary ranges from $43,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $111,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an air pollution specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $9,250 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| Average | $69,302 | $5,775 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
Highest paying air pollution specialist jobs
The highest paying types of air pollution specialists are principal environmental scientist, environmental scientist lead, and junior environmental scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geologist | $64,927 | $5,411 | $31.21 | 16,395 |
| Environmental Scientist/Geologist | $63,344 | $5,279 | $30.45 | 55,899 |
| Environmental Analyst | $60,795 | $5,066 | $29.23 | 17,018 |
| Staff Environmental Scientist | $62,433 | $5,203 | $30.02 | 124,536 |
| Field Scientist | $76,601 | $6,383 | $36.83 | 88,454 |
| Environmental Scientist | $60,208 | $5,017 | $28.95 | 56,425 |
Top companies hiring air pollution specialists now:
Which companies pay air pollution specialists the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego | $101,728 | $48.91 |
| 2 | Caithness Energy | $74,526 | $35.83 |
| 3 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $64,635 | $31.07 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Air pollution specialist salary trends
The average air pollution specialist salary has risen by $9,757 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average air pollution specialist earned $59,545 annually, but today, they earn $69,302 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for air pollution specialists over the last decade.
Compare air pollution specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average air pollution specialist salary over time
Compare air pollution specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Air pollution specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $69,300 | $33.32 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $67,500 | $32.47 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $67,300 | $32.36 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $65,700 | $31.58 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | $65,200 | $31.35 | +2.1% |
Recently added air pollution specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 02/28/2025 | $106,692 |
| Oneok, Inc. | Environmental Air Professional II | Tulsa, OK | 02/17/2025 | $79,000 |
| Jobot Inc. | Air Quality Environmental Professional | Dallas, TX | 02/17/2025 | $105,000 |
| California Energy Commission | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 02/13/2025 | $68,952 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 01/24/2025 | $106,692 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 01/24/2025 | $112,032 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 01/17/2025 | $86,724 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Davis, CA | 01/17/2025 | $86,724 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 01/13/2025 | $106,692 |
| California Air Resources Board | Air Pollution Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 01/13/2025 | $106,692 |
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