Salary distribution
Where San Francisco environmental scientists and specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,880 and $148,650, with a median of $110,240.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Complex Problem Solving
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- 02
Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- 03
Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- 04
Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- 05
Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- 06
Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
- 07
Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- 08
Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for environmental scientists and specialists.
- Sacramento$102,420
- Los Angeles$101,540
- San Jose$99,750
- Riverside$96,390
- San Diego$92,540
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $110,240.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Environmental Scientists and Specialists?
- The San Francisco metro median is +13.0% versus the California state median of $97,520.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Environmental Scientists and Specialists?
- The San Francisco metro median is +35.8% versus the BLS national figure of $81,159.
- What is the salary range for Environmental Scientists and Specialists in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $70,640 and the 90th-percentile at $170,880 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Environmental Scientists and Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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.