Environmental scientists and specialists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Environmental scientists and specialists in the United States earn a median salary of $82,220 per year — about $40 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 90K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation involves a significant amount of digital knowledge work, including data analysis, report writing, and regulatory compliance, which are highly susceptible to AI augmentation. However, the role is anchored by a physical component involving fieldwork, site inspections, and laboratory sample analysis that AI cannot currently replicate. AI will likely serve as a powerful tool for modeling environmental impacts and drafting technical documents, increasing individual productivity while leaving the physical data collection and stakeholder relationship management to humans.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WABEST VALUE | $129,110 | Average (100.1) | $129,008 |
| Monroe, MI | $114,160 | Below avg (93.5) | $122,107 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $127,210 | Above avg (115.6) | $110,031 |
| Springfield, MA | $103,930 | Below avg (96.1) | $108,192 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $96,100 | Below avg (90.0) | $106,723 |
| Redding, CA | $106,510 | Average (100.7) | $105,786 |
| Rochester, MN | $94,580 | Below avg (90.8) | $104,139 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $92,170 | Below avg (89.3) | $103,219 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,510 | Above avg (104.2) | $102,185 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $109,710 | Above avg (107.8) | $101,787 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,430 | Above avg (106.7) | $101,650 |
| Worcester, MA | $103,730 | Average (102.5) | $101,177 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $91,560 | Below avg (90.5) | $101,125 |
| Springfield, IL | $93,590 | Below avg (92.7) | $100,911 |
| El Centro, CA | $95,630 | Below avg (95.2) | $100,479 |