Environmental Scientist salary in Santa Maria, CA
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Santa Barbara.
Also listed as: Environmental Specialist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $77,363 |
| 25th | $79,772 |
| 50th (median) | $81,468 |
| 75th | $85,075 |
| 90th | $93,881 |
Cost of living
Santa Maria's median Environmental Scientist salary of $81,468 is worth about $74,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Santa Maria = 108.8).
Compared with all workers here
All Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Santa Maria, CA area earned a median of $105,230 in May 2025 (130 employed). The H-1B median here is $81,468, 23% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| University of California at Santa Barbara | $81,468 | 10 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.