verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Environmental Engineer Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$130,410/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$62.70/hr
▲ 22% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
4,550
public U.S. Median
$107,110
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$117,784 #8 of 50

Environmental Engineer pay in California, explained

Environmental engineers in California earn a median of $130,410 per year ($62.70 per hour), which is 22% above the national median of $107,110. Entry-level workers earn around $79,790, while the most experienced environmental engineers reach about $170,790. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $130,410 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $130,410 is worth about $117,784 in national buying power — ranking California #8 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Environmental Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Environmental Engineer pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$79,790
$38.36/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$130,410
$62.70/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$170,790
$82.11/hr

Environmental Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $130,410 $117,784
Oregon $127,100 $122,967 +$3,310
Nevada $109,720 $109,743 +$20,690
Arizona $93,970 $93,338 +$36,440

Environmental Engineer in California: FAQ

How much do environmental engineers make in California?

Environmental engineers in California earn a median of $130,410 per year ($62.70 per hour), compared with $107,110 nationally.

Does California pay environmental engineers well?

At $130,410, California pays 22% above the national median for environmental engineers. An estimated 4,550 work in the state.

Environmental Engineer salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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