The average salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $99,500. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market. Notably, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 1.32x higher than average.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $99,500 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 2.5% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $164,950.
- Outlook: The current demand for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 150 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns+8.7%above the national average.
$47.8
$1,913
$8,292
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA have seen a slight adjustment of -2.5%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The earning potential for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 3.0x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $54,970, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $164,950.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $54,970 | $26.4 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $74,625 | $35.9 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $95,100 | $45.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $124,375 | $59.8 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $164,950 | $79.3 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$99,500
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$99,500
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $99,500 to $99,500.
Job Market Context
150
Total Jobs
0.725
Per 1K Jobs
1.32
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.32, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health roles compared to the national norm.
150 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA.
Only 0.725 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Comparing salaries near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Hiring Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $99,500. This typically ranges from $54,970 for entry-level positions to $164,950 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 8.7% higher than the national median of $91,550.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Yes, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is an excellent location for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths. It offers both higher-than-average salaries ($99,500) and a high concentration of job opportunities. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
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 ($97,290) 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 150 employees in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area with a job density of 0.725 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 Scientists and Specialists, Including Health • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA