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Environmental educator salary
Average environmental educator salary
$43,754
Understanding Environmental Educator Salaries
The role of an Environmental Educator involves teaching communities about environmental conservation, sustainability, and ecological responsibility. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for this position is $43,754, equating to about $21 per hour. These figures can vary significantly based on geographic location, years of experience, and the sector of employment.
For instance, educators in states such as California, New York, and Washington often command higher salaries due to the increased cost of living and greater demand for environmental education programs. Additionally, industries such as government, nonprofit organizations, and education typically offer competitive compensation packages.
Prospective educators can enhance their earning potential by obtaining relevant certifications or advanced degrees in environmental science or education. As awareness of environmental issues grows, the demand for skilled educators is expected to rise, leading to expanded job opportunities and potentially higher salaries in the future.
Explore Career Opportunities
For those interested in pursuing a career as an Environmental Educator, numerous resources and job boards are available to help you connect with employers in this growing field.
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Where can an Environmental Educator earn more?
Environmental educator salary estimates from across the web
Average environmental educator salary by state
The highest-paying states for environmental educators are Alaska, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average environmental educator salary states are South Dakota, Montana, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for environmental educators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $61,513 | $29.57 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $50,662 | $24.36 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $54,759 | $26.33 |
| 4 | New York | $54,863 | $26.38 |
| 5 | Iowa | $46,682 | $22.44 |
| 6 | Maine | $44,593 | $21.44 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $47,505 | $22.84 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $45,424 | $21.84 |
| 9 | Michigan | $49,095 | $23.60 |
| 10 | Illinois | $48,966 | $23.54 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $44,951 | $21.61 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $44,204 | $21.25 |
| 13 | Missouri | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| 14 | Virginia | $45,547 | $21.90 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $42,875 | $20.61 |
| 16 | Indiana | $43,231 | $20.78 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $44,142 | $21.22 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $42,417 | $20.39 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $45,043 | $21.66 |
| 20 | Kansas | $42,757 | $20.56 |
| 21 | Washington | $42,721 | $20.54 |
| 22 | Vermont | $41,354 | $19.88 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $43,016 | $20.68 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $40,238 | $19.35 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $39,822 | $19.15 |
| 26 | Delaware | $44,082 | $21.19 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $41,558 | $19.98 |
| 28 | Utah | $43,122 | $20.73 |
| 29 | Texas | $41,862 | $20.13 |
| 30 | Ohio | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| 31 | Arizona | $41,691 | $20.04 |
| 32 | Massachusetts | $42,577 | $20.47 |
| 33 | Florida | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| 34 | Georgia | $40,747 | $19.59 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $41,562 | $19.98 |
| 37 | Nevada | $40,203 | $19.33 |
| 38 | Idaho | $38,643 | $18.58 |
| 39 | Maryland | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $37,121 | $17.85 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $34,903 | $16.78 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $36,651 | $17.62 |
| 43 | Montana | $35,538 | $17.09 |
| 44 | Oregon | $40,570 | $19.50 |
| 45 | California | $36,666 | $17.63 |
| 46 | Alabama | $38,705 | $18.61 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $37,012 | $17.79 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $36,423 | $17.51 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $35,124 | $16.89 |
| 50 | Colorado | $32,521 | $15.64 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $35,139 | $16.89 |
Highest paying cities for environmental educators
The highest-paying cities for environmental educators are Chicago, IL, Davenport, IA, and Arlington, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $49,254 | $23.68 |
| 2 | Davenport, IA | $47,531 | $22.85 |
| 3 | Arlington, VA | $47,323 | $22.75 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $45,034 | $21.65 |
| 5 | Fridley, MN | $44,222 | $21.26 |
| 6 | Edinburg, TX | $40,842 | $19.64 |
| 7 | Moscow, ID | $40,808 | $19.62 |
| 8 | San Rafael, CA | $39,184 | $18.84 |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $37,241 | $17.90 |
| 10 | Pueblo, CO | $32,807 | $15.77 |
Environmental educator salary details
An environmental educator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $67,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an environmental educator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| Average | $43,754 | $3,646 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Top companies hiring environmental educators now:
Which companies pay environmental educators the most?
Environmental educator salaries at Student Conservation Association and University of Rhode Island are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average environmental educator salary at companies like Western Washington University and Colorado State Express are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Student Conservation Association | $50,896 | $24.47 |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island | $48,276 | $23.21 |
| 3 | Western Washington University | $46,428 | $22.32 |
| 4 | Colorado State Express | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| 5 | Minnesota Limited | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| 6 | Americorps | $43,773 | $21.04 |
| 7 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $43,382 | $20.86 |
| 8 | Associated Recreation Council | $43,103 | $20.72 |
| 9 | City of Boise | $41,688 | $20.04 |
| 10 | City of Edinburg | $39,419 | $18.95 |
| 11 | Wheaton Park District | $39,162 | $18.83 |
| 12 | State of Colorado | $34,911 | $16.78 |
| 13 | University of Maine | $34,014 | $16.35 |
| 14 | University of Montevallo | $31,445 | $15.12 |
| 15 | Butterfly Pavilion | $31,394 | $15.09 |
| 16 | Ymca Of Greater Seattle | $25,185 | $12.11 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Environmental Educator salary by industry
The average environmental educator salary varies across industries:
- The average environmental educator salary in the construction industry is $45,463, the highest of any industry.
- The average environmental educator salary in the finance industry is $43,469.
- Environmental educators in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $33,175, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for environmental educators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | $45,463 | $21.86 |
| 2 | Professional | $43,469 | $20.90 |
| 3 | Education | $41,863 | $20.13 |
| 4 | Government | $38,017 | $18.28 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $33,175 | $15.95 |
High paying environmental educator jobs
Environmental educator salary trends
The average environmental educator salary has risen by $5,003 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average environmental educator earned $38,751 annually, but today, they earn $43,754 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for environmental educators over the last decade.
Compare environmental educator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average environmental educator salary over time
Compare environmental educator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Environmental educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,800 | $21.04 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $42,600 | $20.46 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | $41,300 | $19.84 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $39,400 | $18.96 | -2.6% |
| 2021 | $40,400 | $19.45 | -0.5% |
Recently added environmental educator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy | Environmental Educator (Term-Limited W/Benefits) | San Francisco, CA | 06/25/2025 | $55,306 |
| State of New York | Environmental Educator 1-Hempstead Lake State Park (NY Helps) | West Hempstead, NY | 06/18/2025 | $53,764 |
| Forsyth County, Ga | Ctae Program-Education/Recreation: Outdoor Environmental | Cumming, GA | 06/17/2025 | $60,000 |
| State of Washington | Seasonal Environmental Educator | Ione, WA | 06/13/2025 | $50,088 |
| Kalamazoo Nature Center | Environmental Educator | Kalamazoo, MI | 06/08/2025 | $33,392 |
| Trees Atlanta | Environmental Educator | Atlanta, GA | 06/07/2025 | $33,392 |
| Colorado State University | Enor Outdoor Environmental Educator | Fort Collins, CO | 05/31/2025 | $37,566 |
| Cornell University | Emf/Environmental Science Educator-East | Fine, NY | 05/26/2025 | $40,091 |
| Butterfly Pavilion | Bilingual Environmental Educator | Westminster, CO | 05/20/2025 | $36,523 |
| Grand Valley State University | Environmental Education Instructor-Water Resource Institute | Muskegon, MI | 05/17/2025 | $33,392 |
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