Environmental Protection Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Protection make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Protection in the United States is $51,762 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, an Environmental Protection's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,620
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,944 to $57,445
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,469

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Protection Salaries

An Environmental Protection's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Protection Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Protection's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $50,577
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,157
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,930
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $81,927
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,197
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Environmental Protection less than 1 year $50,577
Environmental Engineering Technician II 1-2 years $59,157
Environmental Engineering Technician III 2-4 years $65,930
Environmental Engineering Technician IV 5-8 years $81,927
Environmental Engineering Supervisor over 8 years $88,197

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Protection

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $65,287
  • San Francisco: $64,572
  • Oakland: $63,211

Environmental Protection Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Protection roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Protection positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Protection as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Protection

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $67,290 $32.0 30%
Software & Networking $64,702 $31.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $62,114 $30.0 20%
Aerospace & Defense $54,350 $26.0 5%
Chemicals $54,350 $26.0 5%

How Education impacts an Environmental Protection's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Environmental Protection professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Environmental Protection with a Bachelor's is between $54,469 and $57,986.

Environmental Protection Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Environmental Protection
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 10.5%
High School 10.5%
Associate's Degree 16.4%
Bachelor's Degree 62.5%
Master's Degree or MBA 10.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%

Environmental Protection Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Protection's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$47,944
Average $51,762/year
$57,445
$3,995
Average $4,313/month
$4,787
$922
Average $995/week
$1,105
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,445 $4,787 $1,105 $28
Average $51,762 $4,313 $995 $25
25th Percentile $47,944 $3,995 $922 $23

Most common benefits for Environmental Protection

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Environmental Protection

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Protection and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Environmental Protection Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Environmental Protection job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    5 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    6 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Environmental Protection

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Protection?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Protection roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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