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Average Environmental Engineers Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Yes, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is a highly lucrative market for Environmental Engineerss. With an average annual salary of $124,580, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $124,580 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.5% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $160,600.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Environmental Engineerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 50 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$124,580

The average Environmental Engineers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns+10.0%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$59.9

Weekly

$2,396

Monthly

$10,382

Environmental Engineers Salary Distribution in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

The earning potential for Environmental Engineerss in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $81,150, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $160,600.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$81,150$39
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$93,435$44.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$120,290$57.8
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$155,725$74.9
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$160,600$77.2

Detailed Environmental Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$124,580

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$124,580

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $124,580 to $124,580.

Job Market Context

50

Total Jobs

0.269

Per 1K Jobs

1.09

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.09, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Environmental Engineers roles compared to the national norm.

50 people work as Environmental Engineers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA.

Only 0.269 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Environmental Engineers roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Environmental Engineers

Comparing salaries near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Hiring Environmental Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Environmental Engineers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

The median annual salary for a Environmental Engineers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $124,580. This typically ranges from $81,150 for entry-level positions to $160,600 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 10.0% higher than the national median of $113,240.

Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place for Environmental Engineerss?

Yes, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is financially attractive for Environmental Engineerss. The average salary of $124,580 exceeds the national average. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live for Environmental Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ($123,610) and Bakersfield-Delano, CA.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 50 employees in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area with a job density of 0.269 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.