Best cities for a research environmental scientist
The best cities for research environmental scientists are Boston, MA, Reno, NV, and Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for research environmental scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for research environmental scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a research environmental scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for research environmental scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for research environmental scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a research environmental scientist. While the absolute best city for research environmental scientists is Boston, MA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for research environmental scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a research environmental scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for research environmental scientists in 2025
1. Boston, MA
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $92,231 Lowest 10 percent warn: $64,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 3.99 2. Reno, NV
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $80,937 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Las Vegas, NV
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,326 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. North Las Vegas, NV
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,149 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Henderson, NV
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $78,051 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Toledo, OH
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,747 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Oklahoma City, OK
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $72,154 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Cleveland, OH
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $70,044 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Columbus, OH
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,306 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Washington, DC
Total research environmental scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $98,781 Lowest 10 percent warn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for research environmental scientists
- Boston, MA
- Reno, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Toledo, OH
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Washington, DC
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Detailed list of the best cities for a research environmental scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $92,231 | $64,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $80,937 | $54,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $78,326 | $52,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 4 | North Las Vegas, NV | $78,149 | $52,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 5 | Henderson, NV | $78,051 | $52,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 6 | Toledo, OH | $68,747 | $46,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 7 | Oklahoma City, OK | $72,154 | $48,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $70,044 | $47,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $68,306 | $46,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $98,781 | $66,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 11 | El Paso, TX | $75,084 | $49,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 12 | Lubbock, TX | $73,434 | $48,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 13 | Tulsa, OK | $71,298 | $47,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 14 | San Francisco, CA | $90,528 | $60,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 15 | Oakland, CA | $90,414 | $60,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $90,261 | $60,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $90,150 | $60,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 18 | Virginia Beach, VA | $81,864 | $54,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 19 | Stockton, CA | $89,855 | $60,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $89,639 | $60,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 21 | Norfolk, VA | $81,718 | $54,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 22 | Detroit, MI | $68,707 | $46,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 23 | Cincinnati, OH | $66,888 | $45,000 | 298,800 | 3 |
| 24 | Chesapeake, VA | $81,517 | $53,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 25 | Fort Worth, TX | $71,506 | $46,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 26 | Arlington, TX | $71,397 | $46,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 27 | Irving, TX | $71,296 | $46,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 28 | Nashville, TN | $66,598 | $43,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 29 | Memphis, TN | $66,572 | $43,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 30 | Dallas, TX | $71,232 | $46,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $88,912 | $59,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Austin, TX | $71,373 | $45,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 33 | Plano, TX | $71,106 | $46,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 34 | San Antonio, TX | $71,257 | $45,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 35 | Garland, TX | $71,105 | $46,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $70,391 | $45,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 37 | Bakersfield, CA | $87,859 | $58,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $69,982 | $44,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 39 | Fort Wayne, IN | $66,337 | $45,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 40 | Corpus Christi, TX | $69,605 | $44,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 41 | Wichita, KS | $67,286 | $45,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 42 | Los Angeles, CA | $85,652 | $57,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $85,011 | $57,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 44 | Anaheim, CA | $84,936 | $57,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 45 | Santa Ana, CA | $84,742 | $57,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 46 | Riverside, CA | $84,742 | $57,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 47 | Seattle, WA | $76,302 | $53,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 48 | Irvine, CA | $84,565 | $57,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 49 | Indianapolis, IN | $65,181 | $44,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 50 | Portland, OR | $72,996 | $50,000 | 639,863 | - |
Highest paying cities for research environmental scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. research environmental scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley, CA | $90,417 |
| 2 | Newport News, VA | $81,769 |
| 3 | New Haven, CT | $80,379 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $76,303 |
| 5 | Fort Collins, CO | $72,747 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $71,289 |
| 7 | Knoxville, TN | $67,483 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $66,888 |
| 9 | Mount Pleasant, SC | $49,879 |
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Updated January 8, 2025