Mid-level Environmental Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA
Based on 16 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Oakland, Livermore, Berkeley, San Ramon, Pleasanton.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $87,800 |
| 25th | $96,400 |
| 50th (median) | $102,160 |
| 75th | $115,152 |
| 90th | $166,463 |
Cost of living
San Francisco's median mid-level Environmental Scientist salary of $102,160 is worth about $88,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Francisco = 115.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the San Francisco, CA area earned a median of $127,210 in May 2025 (1,320 employed). The H-1B median here is $102,160, 20% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and Environmental Economics | too few | 3 |
| Lawrence Livermore National Security | too few | 3 |
| The International Council on Clean Transportation | too few | 3 |
| Trinity Consultants | 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 | $83,806 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $102,160 | 16 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 3 |
| 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 | $73,715 | $83,806 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $96,533 | $102,160 | 16 |
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.