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Environmental programs specialist salary
Average environmental programs specialist salary
$55,129
Understanding Environmental Programs Specialist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Environmental Programs Specialist in the United States is approximately $55,129 per year. This translates to around $27 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific sector within the environmental field.
Impact of Location
For instance, specialists in states like California and New York often report higher salaries due to the demand for environmental services and higher living costs. In contrast, positions in less populated states may offer lower compensation but can provide a lower cost of living.
Experience Matters
Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced specialists often earn upwards of $70,000 annually. Understanding these salary dynamics helps job seekers make informed decisions about their career paths.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Programs Specialists can find roles in government agencies, non-profits, and private sector companies focused on sustainability and environmental protection. Exploring local job markets can reveal lucrative opportunities tailored to your skills and interests.
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Where can an Environmental Programs Specialist earn more?
Average environmental programs specialist salary by state
The average environmental programs specialist salary in Massachusetts, California, and Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average environmental programs specialist salary states are Iowa, Maine, and Kentucky.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for environmental programs specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $83,498 | $40.14 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $71,873 | $34.55 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $65,687 | $31.58 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $61,824 | $29.72 |
| 5 | Virginia | $67,887 | $32.64 |
| 6 | California | $71,407 | $34.33 |
| 7 | Washington | $62,209 | $29.91 |
| 8 | New York | $66,262 | $31.86 |
| 9 | Delaware | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| 10 | Nevada | $63,143 | $30.36 |
| 11 | Idaho | $54,773 | $26.33 |
| 12 | Alaska | $52,651 | $25.31 |
| 13 | Maryland | $62,988 | $30.28 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $55,967 | $26.91 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $56,557 | $27.19 |
| 16 | Oregon | $59,603 | $28.66 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $61,229 | $29.44 |
| 18 | Ohio | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| 19 | Michigan | $54,778 | $26.34 |
| 20 | Indiana | $51,612 | $24.81 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $52,418 | $25.20 |
| 22 | Kansas | $51,091 | $24.56 |
| 23 | Montana | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| 24 | Texas | $54,594 | $26.25 |
| 25 | Illinois | $54,443 | $26.17 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $49,406 | $23.75 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $53,154 | $25.55 |
| 28 | Colorado | $55,837 | $26.84 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $50,009 | $24.04 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $44,355 | $21.32 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $48,557 | $23.34 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $50,712 | $24.38 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $44,655 | $21.47 |
| 34 | Georgia | $49,615 | $23.85 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $48,688 | $23.41 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $45,359 | $21.81 |
| 37 | Arizona | $47,298 | $22.74 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $44,571 | $21.43 |
| 39 | Minnesota | $51,778 | $24.89 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $43,852 | $21.08 |
| 41 | Utah | $48,306 | $23.22 |
| 42 | Vermont | $43,001 | $20.67 |
| 43 | Maine | $41,047 | $19.73 |
| 44 | Iowa | $41,047 | $19.73 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $43,649 | $20.99 |
| 46 | Florida | $35,423 | $17.03 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $43,465 | $20.90 |
| 48 | Missouri | $43,446 | $20.89 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $40,635 | $19.54 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $38,142 | $18.34 |
| 51 | Alabama | $35,538 | $17.09 |
Highest paying cities for environmental programs specialists
The highest-paying cities for environmental programs specialists are Washington, DC, Newark, NJ, and Albany, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $83,533 | $40.16 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $60,989 | $29.32 |
| 3 | Albany, NY | $58,602 | $28.17 |
| 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | $53,092 | $25.52 |
| 5 | Juneau, AK | $53,006 | $25.48 |
| 6 | Rochester, MN | $51,795 | $24.90 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,533 | $22.85 |
| 8 | Lincoln, NE | $44,390 | $21.34 |
Environmental programs specialist salary details
An environmental programs specialist's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $84,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an environmental programs specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $84,000 | $7,000 | $40 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| Average | $55,129 | $4,594 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying environmental programs specialist jobs
The highest paying types of environmental programs specialists are principal environmental scientist, environmental scientist lead, and junior environmental scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Scientist | $76,601 | $6,383 | $36.83 | 88,454 |
| Environmental Scientist/Geologist | $63,344 | $5,279 | $30.45 | 55,899 |
| Staff Environmental Scientist | $62,433 | $5,203 | $30.02 | 124,536 |
| Environmental Analyst | $60,795 | $5,066 | $29.23 | 17,018 |
| Environmental Geologist | $64,927 | $5,411 | $31.21 | 16,395 |
| Environmental Scientist | $60,208 | $5,017 | $28.95 | 56,425 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for environmental programs specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Shannon Farrell Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Top companies hiring environmental programs specialists now:
Which companies pay environmental programs specialists the most?
Environmental programs specialist salaries at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Minnesota State Fair are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average environmental programs specialist salary at companies like Alaska State Library and New York State Restaurant Association are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | $56,021 | $26.93 |
| 2 | Minnesota State Fair | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| 3 | Alaska State Library | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 4 | New York State Restaurant Association | $49,581 | $23.84 |
| 5 | International Crane Foundation | $43,419 | $20.87 |
| 6 | State of Arizona | $42,237 | $20.31 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Environmental programs specialist salary trends
The average environmental programs specialist salary has risen by $7,762 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average environmental programs specialist earned $47,367 annually, but today, they earn $55,129 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for environmental programs specialists over the last decade.
Compare environmental programs specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average environmental programs specialist salary over time
Compare environmental programs specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Environmental programs specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,100 | $26.50 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $53,700 | $25.83 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $53,500 | $25.74 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $52,200 | $25.12 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | $51,900 | $24.94 | +2.1% |
Recently added environmental programs specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dept. of Environmental Quality | Environmental Programs Specialist | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/27/2025 | $50,794 |
| Neheadstart | Environmental Quality Program Specialist III | Lincoln, NE | 06/27/2025 | $60,293 |
| State of Oklahoma | Environmental Programs Specialist | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/26/2025 | $50,794 |
| State of Nebraska | Environmental Quality Program Specialist III | Lincoln, NE | 06/25/2025 | $60,293 |
| State of New York | Environmental Program Specialist 1/Trainee-NY Helps | Albany, NY | 05/28/2025 | $53,764 |
| City of Phoenix (Az | Environmental Quality Specialist-Office of Environmental Programs | Phoenix, AZ | 04/29/2025 | $72,966 |
| Dept. of Environmental Quality | Environmental Programs Specialist | McAlester, OK | 04/28/2025 | $50,794 |
| State of Oklahoma | Environmental Programs Specialist | Oklahoma City, OK | 04/26/2025 | $50,794 |
| State of New York | Environmental Program Specialist 1/Trainee-NY Helps | Albany, NY | 04/24/2025 | $53,764 |
| Colorado Springs Utilities | Environmental Specialist-Air Programs | Colorado Springs, CO | 04/19/2025 | $88,483 |
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