Environmental Scientist salary in San Jose, CA
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Stanford, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Milpitas.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $76,326 |
| 25th | $80,816 |
| 50th (median) | $85,862 |
| 75th | $122,768 |
| 90th | $149,723 |
Cost of living
San Jose's median Environmental Scientist salary of $85,862 is worth about $77,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Jose = 110.4).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the San Jose, CA area earned a median of $106,510 in May 2025 (340 employed). The H-1B median here is $85,862, 19% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | too few | 6 |
| North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District | 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 | too few | 4 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 2 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.