Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn an impressive average annual salary of $115,190. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $91,550, reflecting the region's robust demand and the specialized nature of environmental expertise required in this major metropolitan hub. The concentration of government agencies, research institutions, and private sector organizations likely drives this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $115,190 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 7.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $180,360.
- Outlook: The local job market for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria appears robust, with a total local workforce of 2,780 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.62 indicates a higher concentration of these professionals compared to the national average, suggesting a strong and established demand for their skills within the region's economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+25.8%above the national average.
$55.4
$2,215
$9,599
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Environmental Scientists and Specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. This trend is generally observed in high-demand fields, especially within economically dynamic regions, where inflation, increased specialization, and evolving environmental regulations contribute to upward salary pressure.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Salary progression for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The substantial gap between entry-level and senior roles highlights clear career advancement opportunities and the increasing value placed on expertise within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $65,780 | $31.6 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $86,393 | $41.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $109,520 | $52.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $143,988 | $69.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $180,360 | $86.7 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$115,190
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$115,190
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $115,190 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average when accounting for local expenses. This offers a stable financial foundation for professionals in the area.
Job Market Context
2,780
Total Jobs
0.892
Per 1K Jobs
1.62
Location Quotient
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 1.6x the national concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 1.62, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area demonstrates a notable concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health professionals relative to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market, where employers actively seek specialized talent, and professionals have a good number of opportunities within their field.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hiring Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $115,190. This typically ranges from $65,780 for entry-level positions to $180,360 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 25.8% higher than the national median of $91,550.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative area.The average salary of $115,190 significantly exceeds the national average, and the strong concentration of professionals indicates high demand for their expertise.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Some top paying nearby cities include Maryland nonmetropolitan area ($76,250) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD.
How does the local salary compare to the national average?
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earn an average of $115,190 annually, which is considerably higher than the national average of $91,550.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.62?
An LQ of 1.62 indicates that the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area has 62% more Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health per worker than the national average, signifying a strong regional focus and demand for this profession.
How does the Cost of Living Index affect the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local expenses are on par with the national average. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $115,190 translates to a comparable, if not slightly better, purchasing power compared to the national average.
What is the total number of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the area?
There are approximately 2,780 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV region.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,780 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.892 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV