Entry-level Environmental Scientist salary in Boston, MA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Arlington, Stoughton.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $65,146 |
| 25th | $65,203 |
| 50th (median) | $70,750 |
| 75th | $85,388 |
| 90th | $96,870 |
Cost of living
Boston's median entry-level Environmental Scientist salary of $70,750 is worth about $65,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Boston = 108.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Boston, MA area earned a median of $100,360 in May 2025 (2,270 employed). The H-1B median here is $70,750, 30% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| EY | too few | 2 |
| Sunbender | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $70,750 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,752 | 21 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $65,146 | $70,750 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $85,134 | $89,752 | 21 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.