Average base salary, Maryland
$151,500 / year
≈ $12,650 per month · $72.84 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Maryland · median $149,500
25th percentile
$122,500Average
$151,50075th percentile
$185,000
$122,500Average
$151,50075th percentile
$185,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Environmental Economist salary by state
Alabama$131,500
Alaska$125,500
Arizona$103,000
Arkansas$97,500
California$138,500
Colorado$131,500
Connecticut$116,500
Delaware$154,000
District of Columbia$181,000
Florida$117,500
Georgia$136,500
Hawaii$92,500
Idaho$124,000
Indiana$100,000
Iowa$105,500
Kansas$156,000
Kentucky$87,000
Louisiana$92,000
Maine$101,000
Maryland$151,500
Massachusetts$138,000
Michigan$122,000
Minnesota$122,000
Missouri$138,500
Montana$100,500
Nebraska$89,500
Nevada$100,000
New Hampshire$101,500
New Jersey$167,500
New York$174,500
North Carolina$141,000
Ohio$137,000
Oklahoma$115,000
Oregon$120,500
Pennsylvania$121,500
Tennessee$128,000
Texas$140,000
Virginia$150,000
Washington$125,000
Wisconsin$95,000
About this role
Environmental Economist is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Environmental Economists do
Typical education: Master's Degree
- Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
- Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
- Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
- Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
Top skills: Writing Reading Comprehension Mathematics Critical Thinking Active Listening Active Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Environmental Economist pay by experience level
Entry level$69,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$92,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$129,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$181,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$246,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
900
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Environmental Economist salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
8,610 workers
$126,000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5,810 workers
$167,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
4,540 workers
$155,000Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
4,030 workers
$175,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
2,500 workers
$85,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,580 workers
$107,000Scientific Research and Development Services
1,160 workers
$156,000Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
620 workers
$223,000Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
620 workers
$223,000Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
500 workers
$143,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Environmental Economist pays 46% above the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Economist$147,000
Political Scientist$147,500
Astronomer$137,500
Biochemists and Biophysicists$134,500
Physical Scientists, All Other$133,500
Materials Scientist$130,500
Sociologist$119,000
Careers related to Environmental Economist
Political Scientist$147,500
Financial Manager$193,500
Financial Risk Specialist$129,000
Data Scientist$131,000
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Environmental Economist make?
The average base salary for a Environmental Economist in the United States is $147,000 per year, or about $70.67 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $92,500 and $181,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
