The Highest Salaries in Environmental Science

Environmental science specialists may earn higher than average wages.

Environmental science majors may follow one of several career paths after graduation, including positions in consulting, research or education. Salaries in environmental science may be higher due to the type of position, the industry in which the worker is employed or due to the cost of living in the area in which he lives.

Salaries

The average salary for environmental science and protection technicians, who perform tests in laboratories and in the field to find sources of pollution, was $44,440 in the United States as of May 2010, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest salaries in the 90th percentile for these workers ranged over $67,630 a year. Environmental scientists and specialists earned an average of $67,810 conducting research on the environment, with salaries ranging over $107,990 in the 90th percentile. Environmental science professors earned the highest salary average in the field at $78,490 a year, with salaries exceeding $131,080 in the 90th percentile.

Industries

For environmental science and protection technicians, the highest salaries were found in the industries of electric power generation, transmission and distribution at an average of $65,630 and oil and gas extraction at an average of $62,330 as of 2010, reports the bureau. Environmental science professors earned the highest average working in colleges, universities and professional schools at $80,910 a year. General medical and surgical hospitals offered the highest salaries for environmental scientists and specialists at an average of $95,760 a year, closely followed by the federal executive branch, which offered an average of $95,680.

Location

For both environmental science and protection technicians, and environmental scientists and specialists, the bureau names the District of Columbia as the top paying region with a salary average of $63,180 for the former and $108,190 for the latter. Washington was the highest paying state for environmental science teachers with a salary average of $101,730 annually as of 2010.

Outlook

With an expected increase of 28 percent in job opportunities between 2008 and 2018 for environmental scientists, the bureau expects an excellent job outlook with growth much faster than the average in comparison with all jobs in the United States. Growth will be particularly high in consulting firms in the private sector as more companies seek the advice of specialists in ensuring they are complying with changing environmental laws and regulations.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, 2010-11
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Wages, May 2010
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Wages, May 2010
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Environmental Scientists and Specialists Wages, May 2010