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Environmental protection specialist salary
Average environmental protection specialist salary
$59,771
Understanding Environmental Protection Specialist Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Environmental Protection Specialist stands at $59,771 per year. These professionals are crucial in implementing policies that protect the environment and public health. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as state, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
In states like California and New York, specialists can earn higher salaries due to the demand for environmental services. For instance, the highest-paying positions often include roles in government agencies and private consulting firms, which can offer salaries exceeding $70,000 annually. Additionally, specialists with advanced degrees or certifications typically command higher wages.
The job market for environmental protection specialists is expected to grow, driven by increasing environmental regulations and the need for sustainable practices across various industries. This growth presents ample opportunities for those looking to enter the field, especially in urban areas where environmental challenges are more pronounced.
For those considering a career as an Environmental Protection Specialist, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments in environmental policy and technology to remain competitive in this evolving job market.
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Where can an Environmental Protection Specialist earn more?
Environmental protection specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average environmental protection specialist salary by state
The average environmental protection specialist salary in California, Virginia, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average environmental protection specialist salary states are South Dakota, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for environmental protection specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $88,333 | $42.47 |
| 2 | California | $81,340 | $39.11 |
| 3 | Nevada | $68,424 | $32.90 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $71,513 | $34.38 |
| 5 | New York | $70,491 | $33.89 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $67,149 | $32.28 |
| 7 | Virginia | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| 8 | Washington | $66,459 | $31.95 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $72,944 | $35.07 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 11 | Oregon | $64,519 | $31.02 |
| 12 | Idaho | $60,635 | $29.15 |
| 13 | Delaware | $65,989 | $31.73 |
| 14 | Maryland | $66,503 | $31.97 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $62,928 | $30.25 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $62,983 | $30.28 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $58,852 | $28.29 |
| 18 | Montana | $57,521 | $27.65 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $59,291 | $28.51 |
| 20 | Alaska | $56,877 | $27.34 |
| 21 | Ohio | $60,601 | $29.14 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $56,596 | $27.21 |
| 23 | Michigan | $60,389 | $29.03 |
| 24 | Colorado | $63,052 | $30.31 |
| 25 | Georgia | $59,184 | $28.45 |
| 26 | Kansas | $57,829 | $27.80 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $58,329 | $28.04 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $55,569 | $26.72 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $60,741 | $29.20 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $55,617 | $26.74 |
| 31 | Indiana | $57,238 | $27.52 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $58,577 | $28.16 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $48,754 | $23.44 |
| 34 | Arizona | $54,247 | $26.08 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $47,911 | $23.03 |
| 36 | Maine | $48,689 | $23.41 |
| 37 | Utah | $55,777 | $26.82 |
| 38 | Texas | $52,611 | $25.29 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $51,721 | $24.87 |
| 40 | Illinois | $57,207 | $27.50 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $49,332 | $23.72 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 43 | Vermont | $49,493 | $23.79 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $46,764 | $22.48 |
| 45 | Iowa | $44,724 | $21.50 |
| 46 | Missouri | $49,244 | $23.68 |
| 47 | Florida | $42,682 | $20.52 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $46,561 | $22.39 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $46,147 | $22.19 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $45,549 | $21.90 |
| 51 | Alabama | $42,385 | $20.38 |
Highest paying cities for environmental protection specialists
The highest-paying cities for environmental protection specialists are Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, and Arlington, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $88,338 | $42.47 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $85,718 | $41.21 |
| 3 | Arlington, VA | $73,938 | $35.55 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $70,907 | $34.09 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $63,667 | $30.61 |
| 7 | Alexandria, LA | $59,202 | $28.46 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $59,188 | $28.46 |
| 9 | Lenexa, KS | $57,694 | $27.74 |
| 10 | Anchorage, AK | $56,894 | $27.35 |
| 11 | Springfield, IL | $56,281 | $27.06 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,009 | $26.93 |
| 13 | Yuma, AZ | $54,311 | $26.11 |
| 14 | Midland, TX | $53,811 | $25.87 |
| 15 | Auburn, AL | $42,207 | $20.29 |
Environmental protection specialist salary details
An environmental protection specialist's salary ranges from $39,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $91,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an environmental protection specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| Average | $59,771 | $4,981 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
Highest paying environmental protection specialist jobs
The highest paying types of environmental protection specialists are protection specialist, environmental engineer, and environmental scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Analyst | $44,024 | $3,669 | $21.17 | 44,074 |
| Archaeological Field Technician | $41,352 | $3,446 | $19.88 | 60,923 |
| Surveillance Technician | $41,279 | $3,440 | $19.85 | 13,099 |
| Lead Field Technician | $40,838 | $3,403 | $19.63 | 88,080 |
| Field Technician Engineer | $50,370 | $4,198 | $24.22 | 73,704 |
| Field Installation Technician | $40,685 | $3,390 | $19.56 | 92,922 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for environmental protection 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 protection specialists now:
Which companies pay environmental protection specialists the most?
Environmental protection specialist salaries at Booz Allen Hamilton and OSMRE are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average environmental protection specialist salary at companies like National Park Foundation and Department of Homeland Security are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booz Allen Hamilton | $92,837 | $44.63 |
| 2 | OSMRE | $85,661 | $41.18 |
| 3 | National Park Foundation | $71,145 | $34.20 |
| 4 | Department of Homeland Security | $71,005 | $34.14 |
| 5 | City of San Leandro | $61,513 | $29.57 |
| 6 | US Meat Animal Research Center | $60,177 | $28.93 |
| 7 | Waste Management | $59,703 | $28.70 |
| 8 | Chenega | $58,528 | $28.14 |
| 9 | Colorado State Express | $58,493 | $28.12 |
| 10 | CIA Inc | $58,493 | $28.12 |
| 11 | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | $58,493 | $28.12 |
| 12 | Federal Aviation Administration | $58,493 | $28.12 |
| 13 | Silestone by Cosentino | $58,456 | $28.10 |
| 14 | Army National Guard | $57,541 | $27.66 |
| 15 | Us Army Reserves | $57,476 | $27.63 |
| 16 | United States Marine Corps | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| 17 | The Building People | $57,078 | $27.44 |
| 18 | United States Army Corps of Engineers | $56,981 | $27.39 |
| 19 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $49,774 | $23.93 |
| 20 | Waste Connections | $48,859 | $23.49 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Environmental protection specialist salary trends
The average environmental protection specialist salary has risen by $8,415 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average environmental protection specialist earned $51,356 annually, but today, they earn $59,771 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for environmental protection specialists over the last decade.
Compare environmental protection specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average environmental protection specialist salary over time
Compare environmental protection specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Environmental protection specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $59,800 | $28.74 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $58,200 | $28.00 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $58,100 | $27.91 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $56,600 | $27.23 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $56,200 | $27.04 | +2.1% |
Recently added environmental protection specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Colorado | Regional Field Environmental Protection Specialist (Dmva) | Boone, CO | 06/29/2025 | $65,736 |
| Department of Justice | Environmental Protection Specialist | Phoenix, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $77,343 |
| University of Michigan (The Regents @ Ann Arbor | Environmental Protection Equipment Specialist | Ann Arbor, MI | 06/24/2025 | $73,611 |
| Department of The Air Force | Title 5 Environmental Protection Specialist (MI 127Th CES) | Bowne, MI | 06/14/2025 | $81,556 |
| Leidos | Environmental Protection Specialist | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/11/2025 | $89,700 |
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Environmental Protection Specialist | Montgomery, PA | 05/22/2025 | $58,035 |
| State of Pennsylvania | Environmental Protection Specialist | Norristown, PA | 05/16/2025 | $58,035 |
| State of Illinois | Environmental Protection Specialist I | Springfield, IL | 05/15/2025 | $57,192 |
| State of Illinois | Environmental Protection Specialist I | Springfield, MO | 05/15/2025 | $57,192 |
| San Antonio Water System | Environmental Protection Specialist III-Industrial Compliance | San Antonio, TX | 05/14/2025 | $62,109 |
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