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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Environmental Engineers salary in San Francisco, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Francisco metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$142,000
Mean annual$142,400
Range (10th to 90th)$89,180 to $203,960
San Francisco, California employment580
State vs national+36.3% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Francisco environmental engineers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$89,18025TH$112,570MEDIAN$142,00075TH$167,34090TH$203,960

The middle 50% of workers earn between $112,570 and $167,340, with a median of $142,000.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.0 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Writing

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.

  2. 02

    Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.

  3. 03

    Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.

  4. 04

    Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.

  5. 05

    Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

  6. 06

    Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

  7. 07

    Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs.

  8. 08

    Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.

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Other metros in California

How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for environmental engineers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Environmental Engineers in San Francisco, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Environmental Engineers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $142,000.
Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Environmental Engineers?
The San Francisco metro median is +11.2% versus the California state median of $127,660.
How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Environmental Engineers?
The San Francisco metro median is +36.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,174.
What is the salary range for Environmental Engineers in San Francisco?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $89,180 and the 90th-percentile at $203,960 for the San Francisco metro area.
What education is required for Environmental Engineers?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.