Entry-level Environmental Scientist salary in Houston, TX
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Spring, Deer Park, Cypress, Katy, Sugar Land.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $54,793 |
| 25th | $60,000 |
| 50th (median) | $60,000 |
| 75th | $68,377 |
| 90th | $70,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $52,500 | $50,128 | $55,629 | 15 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 1 |
| FY2022 | $53,438 | $51,875 | $59,700 | 14 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2024 | $59,853 | $55,000 | $64,331 | 10 |
| FY2025 | $60,000 | $60,000 | $64,994 | 11 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 3 |
Cost of living
Houston's median entry-level Environmental Scientist salary of $60,000 is worth about $60,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Houston = 98.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Houston, TX area earned a median of $95,170 in May 2025 (1,840 employed). The H-1B median here is $60,000, 37% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AGT Labs | too few | 3 |
| A & B Environmental Services | 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 | $60,000 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $72,155 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,110 | 10 |
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 | $54,704 | $60,000 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $71,968 | $72,155 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $107,640 | $128,110 | 10 |
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.
