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Research environmental scientist salary
Average research environmental scientist salary
$70,860
Overview of Research Environmental Scientist Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Research Environmental Scientist is $70,860 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location and years of experience. For instance, those working in states with higher demand for environmental research may earn more than the national average.
Salary Breakdown by Location
Research Environmental Scientists in metropolitan areas often receive higher salaries. For example, cities like San Francisco and New York tend to offer lucrative compensation packages, reflecting the cost of living and demand for expertise in environmental science.
Impact of Experience
Entry-level positions typically start lower, around $50,000, while seasoned professionals can command salaries exceeding $90,000 annually. Many research roles also provide opportunities for growth into leadership positions, further enhancing earning potential.
Industry Opportunities
Fields such as government, non-profit organizations, and private sector firms actively seek qualified Research Environmental Scientists, making this a promising career path for those focused on sustainability and environmental protection.
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Where can a Research Environmental Scientist earn more?
Average research environmental scientist salary by state
The average research environmental scientist salary in Massachusetts, California, and Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average research environmental scientist salary states are South Dakota, Kentucky, and Iowa.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for research environmental scientists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $81,665 | $39.26 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $80,048 | $38.48 |
| 3 | California | $86,587 | $41.63 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $74,355 | $35.75 |
| 5 | Oregon | $73,675 | $35.42 |
| 6 | Delaware | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $75,997 | $36.54 |
| 8 | Colorado | $73,357 | $35.27 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $92,461 | $44.45 |
| 10 | Nevada | $78,746 | $37.86 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $98,671 | $47.44 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $72,708 | $34.96 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $70,337 | $33.82 |
| 14 | New York | $70,877 | $34.08 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $71,816 | $34.53 |
| 16 | Texas | $71,109 | $34.19 |
| 17 | Washington | $75,755 | $36.42 |
| 18 | Maryland | $74,243 | $35.69 |
| 19 | Idaho | $68,006 | $32.70 |
| 20 | Ohio | $68,743 | $33.05 |
| 21 | Illinois | $68,118 | $32.75 |
| 22 | Michigan | $68,331 | $32.85 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $66,700 | $32.07 |
| 24 | Montana | $65,788 | $31.63 |
| 25 | Kansas | $66,588 | $32.01 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $63,791 | $30.67 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $62,067 | $29.84 |
| 28 | Indiana | $65,243 | $31.37 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $67,735 | $32.56 |
| 30 | Georgia | $64,744 | $31.13 |
| 31 | Utah | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $64,106 | $30.82 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $62,264 | $29.93 |
| 34 | Vermont | $57,371 | $27.58 |
| 35 | Arizona | $61,978 | $29.80 |
| 36 | Maine | $57,513 | $27.65 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $63,496 | $30.53 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $56,413 | $27.12 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $56,603 | $27.21 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $54,815 | $26.35 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $54,041 | $25.98 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $56,491 | $27.16 |
| 43 | Alaska | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| 45 | Missouri | $55,962 | $26.90 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $56,770 | $27.29 |
| 47 | Florida | $45,834 | $22.04 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| 49 | Iowa | $51,285 | $24.66 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $50,427 | $24.24 |
| 51 | Alabama | $46,185 | $22.20 |
Highest paying cities for research environmental scientists
The highest-paying cities for research environmental scientists are Berkeley, CA, Newport News, VA, and New Haven, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley, CA | $90,417 | $43.47 |
| 2 | Newport News, VA | $81,769 | $39.31 |
| 3 | New Haven, CT | $80,379 | $38.64 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $76,303 | $36.68 |
| 5 | Fort Collins, CO | $72,747 | $34.97 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $71,289 | $34.27 |
| 7 | Knoxville, TN | $67,483 | $32.44 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $66,888 | $32.16 |
| 9 | Mount Pleasant, SC | $49,879 | $23.98 |
Research environmental scientist salary details
A research environmental scientist's salary ranges from $50,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $99,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a research environmental scientist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $99,000 | $8,250 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $7,000 | $40 |
| Average | $70,860 | $5,905 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 10th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
Highest paying research environmental scientist jobs
The highest paying types of research environmental scientists are principal environmental scientist, environmental scientist lead, and scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist | $97,344 | $8,112 | $46.80 | 62,467 |
| Field Scientist | $76,601 | $6,383 | $36.83 | 88,454 |
| Environmental Analyst | $60,795 | $5,066 | $29.23 | 17,018 |
| Environmental Geologist | $64,927 | $5,411 | $31.21 | 16,395 |
| Environmental Scientist/Geologist | $63,344 | $5,279 | $30.45 | 55,899 |
| Staff Environmental Scientist | $62,433 | $5,203 | $30.02 | 124,536 |
Top companies hiring research environmental scientists now:
Which companies pay research environmental scientists the most?
Research environmental scientist salaries at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and FRI Holding Company LLC are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average research environmental scientist salary at companies like Driscoll's and Pegasus are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory | $91,159 | $43.83 |
| 2 | FRI Holding Company LLC | $83,223 | $40.01 |
| 3 | Driscoll's | $79,986 | $38.45 |
| 4 | Pegasus | $76,363 | $36.71 |
| 5 | University of Washington | $76,227 | $36.65 |
| 6 | Cornwell Tools | $70,791 | $34.03 |
| 7 | The International | $69,523 | $33.42 |
| 8 | SUNY-ESF | $53,571 | $25.76 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Research environmental scientist salary trends
The average research environmental scientist salary has risen by $9,976 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average research environmental scientist earned $60,884 annually, but today, they earn $70,860 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for research environmental scientists over the last decade.
Compare research environmental scientist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average research environmental scientist salary over time
Compare research environmental scientist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Research environmental scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $70,900 | $34.07 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $69,100 | $33.20 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $68,800 | $33.09 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $67,200 | $32.29 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $66,700 | $32.06 | +2.1% |
Recently added research environmental scientist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Il | Visiting Research Scientist-Civil and Environmental Engineering | Urbana, IL | 04/23/2025 | $60,000 |
| Argonne National Laboratory | Postdoctoral Appointee-Self Driving Laboratories for Earth and Environmental System Science | Lemont, IL | 03/28/2025 | $70,758 |
| Staffmark Group | Environmental Waste Management Researcher | Neenah, WI | 03/27/2025 | $46,958 |
| Conflux Systems, Inc. | Environmental/Waste Management Desk Researcher | Neenah, WI | 03/27/2025 | $100,176 |
| City of New York | Research Scientist, Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering | Lincoln, NE | 02/19/2025 | $70,087 |
| Argonne National Laboratory | Postdoctoral Appointee-Self Driving Laboratories for Earth and Environmental System Science | Lemont, IL | 02/18/2025 | $70,758 |
| Savvy, Inc. | Research Scientist NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) ALL, MO Interested NOT Inter | Noel, MO | 02/17/2025 | $84,981 |
| City of New York | Research Scientist, Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering | New York, NY | 02/11/2025 | $72,190 |
| New York City, Ny | Research Scientist, Bureau of Environmental Sciences and Engineering | New York, NY | 01/26/2025 | $72,190 |
| Leidos | Environmental Research Scientist | Pittsburgh, PA | 12/11/2024 | $90,000 |
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