Average Environmental Engineers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Environmental Engineers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area command an impressive average annual salary of $124,970. This figure notably surpasses the national average of $113,240, indicating a premium for specialized environmental expertise within this dynamic metropolitan region. The higher compensation is likely driven by the complex regulatory landscape, significant industrial presence, and the demand for sustainable solutions unique to Southern California.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $124,970 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $172,480.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,270 Environmental Engineers, Los Angeles presents a substantial, albeit not overwhelmingly concentrated, market for these professionals. The Location Quotient of 0.83 suggests that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the sheer volume of jobs indicates a robust and consistent demand for environmental engineering services within the region, pointing to a stable job market.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earns+10.4%above the national average.
$60.1
$2,403
$10,414
Environmental Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this dataset is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that Environmental Engineer salaries in Los Angeles have experienced consistent growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as increasing environmental regulations, a growing emphasis on sustainability, and the demand for skilled professionals in infrastructure and development projects likely contribute to upward salary pressure.
Environmental Engineers Salary Distribution in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Career progression for Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles is typically marked by significant salary increases. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, potentially exceeding $150,000. These percentile gaps clearly signify the value placed on accumulated knowledge and demonstrated success in managing complex environmental challenges.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $81,600 | $39.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $93,728 | $45.1 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $119,780 | $57.6 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $156,213 | $75.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $172,480 | $82.9 |
Detailed Environmental Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$124,970
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$124,970
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $124,970 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the gross salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively equivalent to the national average, considering the local cost of living. Therefore, the increased earnings do not translate to a significantly higher standard of living in terms of affordability.
Job Market Context
1,270
Total Jobs
0.205
Per 1K Jobs
0.83
Location Quotient
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has 0.83x the national average concentration of Environmental Engineers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
The Location Quotient of 0.83 for Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles indicates a slightly lower concentration of these professionals compared to the national average. This suggests that while the job market is active and employs a considerable number of engineers (1,270), the field is not disproportionately saturated. This equilibrium can be favorable for job seekers, implying a healthy balance between available talent and employer demand.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Environmental Engineers Salary | $113,580↓ 9% | 49 mi |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Environmental Engineers Salary | $135,510↑ 8% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Hiring Environmental Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Engineers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $124,970. This typically ranges from $81,600 for entry-level positions to $172,480 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 10.4% higher than the national median of $113,240.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a lucrative place for Environmental Engineers?
Yes, but with caveats regarding cost of living.Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles earn significantly more than the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the increased salary doesn't provide superior purchasing power.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA a good place to live for Environmental Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($113,580) and Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA.
How does the Los Angeles Environmental Engineer salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles is $124,970, which is $11,730 higher than the national average of $113,240.
What is the concentration of Environmental Engineers in Los Angeles?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.83, indicating a slightly lower proportion of Environmental Engineers in the local workforce compared to the national average.
How many Environmental Engineers are employed in the Los Angeles area?
There are approximately 1,270 Environmental Engineers working in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area.
Does the higher salary in Los Angeles translate to a better standard of living?
While the nominal salary is higher, the Cost of Living Index is 100 (national average), meaning the increased earnings are offset by local expenses, resulting in comparable purchasing power to the national average.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,270 employees in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area with a job density of 0.205 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Environmental Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA