How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make in Santa Maria?
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $50.59 an hour or $8,769 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.59
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 259
- Jobs in the area
- 130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,690 | $32.06 | |
| 25th | $80,930 | $38.91 | |
| Median | $105,200 | $50.59 | |
| 75th | $127,400 | $61.26 | |
| 90th | $147,400 | $70.87 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists.
| San Francisco, CA | $127,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $110,300 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $109,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $108,400 |
| Redding, CA | $106,500 |
| San Jose, CA | $106,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $106,100 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $105,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $105,300 |
| Riverside, CA | $104,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $103,600 |
| Stockton, CA | $102,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $101,600 |
| Fresno, CA | $97,040 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,750 |
| Chico, CA | $91,210 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $80,640 |
| Visalia, CA | $80,360 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Medical Scientist | $128,600 |
| School Psychologist | $128,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $124,800 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $105,500 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $104,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $102,100 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $87,260 |
| Chemist | $85,930 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,340 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technician | $66,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $50.59 ($105,200 a year).
Do environmental scientist and specialists make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $105,200 against $82,220 nationally, 28% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $106,500, so Santa Maria pays 1% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for environmental scientist and specialist pay?
15 of 259 metro areas with data.
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $66,690 or less a year; the top 10% make $147,400 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.