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Environmental economist salary
Average environmental economist salary
$56,531
Average Environmental Economist Salary Overview
The role of an environmental economist is crucial for businesses and governments looking to implement effective environmental policies. As of October 2025, the average salary for an environmental economist stands at $56,531 annually. This figure reflects the demand for skilled professionals who can analyze economic data related to environmental issues.
Factors Influencing Salary
Salaries can vary significantly based on several factors:
- Experience: Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while those with advanced degrees and years of experience can command higher pay.
- Location: States such as California and New York often provide higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and increased demand for environmental expertise.
- Field of Specialization: Economists specializing in sustainability, renewable energy, or climate policies may earn more than their peers in other sectors.
By understanding these dynamics, aspiring professionals can better navigate their career paths and maximize their earning potential in the environmental economics field.
Let Zippia find your next environmental economist job
Let Zippia find your next environmental economist job
Where can an Environmental Economist earn more?
Environmental economist salary estimates from across the web
Average environmental economist salary by state
The highest-paying states for environmental economists are Alaska, New York, and Virginia. The lowest average environmental economist salary states are Alabama, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for environmental economists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $82,564 | $39.69 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $79,691 | $38.31 |
| 3 | New York | $75,802 | $36.44 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $68,208 | $32.79 |
| 5 | Virginia | $69,666 | $33.49 |
| 6 | Maine | $58,345 | $28.05 |
| 7 | Vermont | $63,576 | $30.57 |
| 8 | Ohio | $58,587 | $28.17 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $59,096 | $28.41 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $54,662 | $26.28 |
| 12 | Maryland | $66,696 | $32.07 |
| 13 | California | $59,956 | $28.82 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $55,477 | $26.67 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $51,958 | $24.98 |
| 16 | Delaware | $61,332 | $29.49 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $56,041 | $26.94 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $51,768 | $24.89 |
| 19 | Illinois | $53,969 | $25.95 |
| 20 | Iowa | $48,696 | $23.41 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $46,686 | $22.45 |
| 22 | Georgia | $52,804 | $25.39 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $51,265 | $24.65 |
| 24 | Texas | $51,324 | $24.68 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $52,058 | $25.03 |
| 26 | Washington | $47,934 | $23.05 |
| 27 | Nevada | $51,351 | $24.69 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $46,344 | $22.28 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $50,298 | $24.18 |
| 30 | Montana | $49,357 | $23.73 |
| 31 | Michigan | $46,999 | $22.60 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $47,056 | $22.62 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| 34 | Missouri | $45,973 | $22.10 |
| 35 | Kansas | $45,496 | $21.87 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $44,222 | $21.26 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $43,098 | $20.72 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $43,881 | $21.10 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| 40 | Indiana | $39,767 | $19.12 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $39,183 | $18.84 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $26,929 | $12.95 |
| 43 | Florida | $36,513 | $17.55 |
| 44 | Utah | $41,712 | $20.05 |
| 45 | Colorado | $40,427 | $19.44 |
| 46 | Oregon | $40,054 | $19.26 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $25,162 | $12.10 |
| 48 | Idaho | $26,963 | $12.96 |
| 49 | Arizona | $36,872 | $17.73 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $29,587 | $14.22 |
| 51 | Alabama | $35,751 | $17.19 |
Highest paying cities for environmental economists
The highest-paying cities for environmental economists are Washington, DC, Buffalo, NY, and Arlington, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $80,452 | $38.68 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | $73,625 | $35.40 |
| 3 | Arlington, VA | $73,437 | $35.31 |
| 4 | Falmouth, MA | $69,342 | $33.34 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $62,902 | $30.24 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| 7 | Chanhassen, MN | $51,279 | $24.65 |
| 8 | Durham, NC | $45,563 | $21.91 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge, LA | $43,276 | $20.81 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $36,271 | $17.44 |
| 11 | Oak Ridge, TN | $30,430 | $14.63 |
Environmental economist salary details
An environmental economist's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $127,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an environmental economist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $127,000 | $10,583 | $61 |
| 75th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $41 |
| Average | $56,531 | $4,711 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying environmental economist jobs
The highest paying types of environmental economists are economist research assistant, economist, and senior economist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Development Internship | $37,977 | $3,165 | $18.26 | 92,622 |
| Economic Developer | $51,285 | $4,274 | $24.66 | 72,804 |
| Economist | $109,102 | $9,092 | $52.45 | 1,029 |
| Agricultural Economist | $71,697 | $5,975 | $34.47 | 1,119 |
| Energy Economist | $58,368 | $4,864 | $28.06 | 3,512 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for environmental economists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Yoav Wachsman Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Professor - Economics, Coastal Carolina University
Top companies hiring environmental economists now:
Which companies pay environmental economists the most?
Environmental economist salaries at Alpha Consulting and Data are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average environmental economist salary at companies like Abt Associates and ERG are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpha Consulting | $106,700 | $51.30 |
| 2 | Data | $106,689 | $51.29 |
| 3 | Abt Associates | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| 4 | ERG | $96,937 | $46.60 |
| 5 | Conservation Strategy Fund | $95,219 | $45.78 |
| 6 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $93,920 | $45.15 |
| 7 | Stantec | $81,445 | $39.16 |
| 8 | Woods Hole Research Center | $79,725 | $38.33 |
| 9 | Energy & Environmental Investments | $55,724 | $26.79 |
| 10 | AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah | $52,693 | $25.33 |
| 11 | Energy Inc. | $36,771 | $17.68 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Environmental economist salary trends
The average environmental economist salary has risen by $9,287 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average environmental economist earned $47,244 annually, but today, they earn $56,531 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for environmental economists over the last decade.
Compare environmental economist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average environmental economist salary over time
Compare environmental economist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Environmental economist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,500 | $27.18 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $54,800 | $26.34 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $54,400 | $26.17 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $53,500 | $25.71 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $52,700 | $25.35 | +1.9% |
Recently added environmental economist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Minnesota | Environmental Economist-Economic Policy Analyst | Saint Paul, MN | 06/19/2025 | $71,367 |
| Eastern Research Group | Environmental Economist | Boston, MA | 02/16/2025 | $55,000 |
| Tetra Tech, Inc. | Environmental Economist Planner Mid-Level | Irvine, CA | 01/31/2025 | $70,000 |
| State of Minnesota | Environmental Economist-Economic Policy Analyst | Saint Paul, MN | 12/10/2024 | $71,367 |
| Eastern Research Group | Environmental Economist | Arlington, TX | 12/09/2024 | $55,000 |
| Eastern Research Group | Environmental Economist | Arlington, MA | 10/19/2024 | $55,000 |
| Erg | Environmental Economist | Concord, MA | 10/16/2024 | $55,000 |
| Eastern Research Group | Environmental Economist | Boston, MA | 09/28/2024 | $55,000 |
| Black Spectacles LLC | Environmental Economist | Portland, TX | 09/26/2024 | $80,000 |
| Erg | Environmental Economist | Concord, MA | 09/24/2024 | $55,000 |
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