U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsConduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. Excludes "Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists" (19-1023), "Conservation Scientists" (19-1031), "Forest and Conservation Technicians" (19-4093), "Fish and Game Wardens" (33-3031), and "Forest and Conservation Workers" (45-4011).
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81,690 | 2.1 % | $32.60 | $67,810 | 1.0 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $18.20 | $22.51 | $29.66 | $39.42 | $51.92 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $37,850 | $46,820 | $61,700 | $82,000 | $107,990 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government (OES Designation) | 19,210 | 0.84 | $27.37 | $56,940 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 17,100 | 1.73 | $34.35 | $71,450 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 11,630 | 0.91 | $31.92 | $66,390 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 11,300 | 0.20 | $29.47 | $61,290 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 5,840 | 0.29 | $46.00 | $95,680 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 17,100 | 1.73 | $34.35 | $71,450 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | 60 | 0.93 | $34.19 | $71,120 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 11,630 | 0.91 | $31.92 | $66,390 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 19,210 | 0.84 | $27.37 | $56,940 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 3,310 | 0.54 | $38.68 | $80,460 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | (8) | (8) | $46.04 | $95,760 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 5,840 | 0.29 | $46.00 | $95,680 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 170 | 0.11 | $42.08 | $87,520 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | 80 | 0.08 | $41.54 | $86,400 |
| Metal Ore Mining | 30 | 0.10 | $40.36 | $83,950 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 12,120 | 0.87 | 1.35 | $35.97 | $74,820 |
| Texas | 7,790 | 0.77 | 1.20 | $33.70 | $70,100 |
| Florida | 6,400 | 0.90 | 1.40 | $26.56 | $55,250 |
| Washington | 3,880 | 1.44 | 2.24 | $34.90 | $72,590 |
| Virginia | 3,520 | 1.00 | 1.55 | $39.47 | $82,100 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 1,440 | 2.25 | 3.51 | $52.01 | $108,190 |
| Alaska | 660 | 2.13 | 3.31 | $33.11 | $68,860 |
| Wyoming | 410 | 1.51 | 2.36 | $28.92 | $60,140 |
| Washington | 3,880 | 1.44 | 2.24 | $34.90 | $72,590 |
| Vermont | 390 | 1.35 | 2.11 | $29.30 | $60,930 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 1,440 | 2.25 | 3.51 | $52.01 | $108,190 |
| Massachusetts | 1,920 | 0.62 | 0.96 | $40.66 | $84,580 |
| Virginia | 3,520 | 1.00 | 1.55 | $39.47 | $82,100 |
| Colorado | 2,090 | 0.97 | 1.51 | $36.61 | $76,150 |
| Illinois | 1,460 | 0.27 | 0.41 | $36.24 | $75,380 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 3,760 | 1.64 | 2.55 | $48.50 | $100,870 |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | 2,540 | 1.02 | 1.58 | $31.95 | $66,450 |
| Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division | 2,000 | 1.49 | 2.31 | $36.81 | $76,560 |
| Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA | 1,860 | 2.27 | 3.53 | $35.42 | $73,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,780 | 0.47 | 0.73 | $36.36 | $75,630 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA | 1,510 | 1.22 | 1.90 | $34.28 | $71,300 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division | 1,390 | 0.84 | 1.30 | $42.54 | $88,480 |
| Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,350 | 1.42 | 2.21 | $36.56 | $76,040 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,260 | 2.57 | 4.00 | $27.35 | $56,890 |
| Baltimore-Towson, MD | 1,260 | 1.02 | 1.58 | $32.62 | $67,850 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WA | 500 | 5.32 | 8.28 | $28.95 | $60,210 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 710 | 4.45 | 6.92 | $22.92 | $47,660 |
| Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA | 400 | 4.17 | 6.49 | $42.63 | $88,660 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 300 | 4.13 | 6.43 | $20.87 | $43,410 |
| Carson City, NV | 110 | 4.10 | 6.38 | $31.92 | $66,390 |
| Trenton-Ewing, NJ | 860 | 4.03 | 6.26 | $35.98 | $74,830 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 150 | 3.59 | 5.59 | $30.84 | $64,150 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 250 | 2.68 | 4.16 | $21.96 | $45,670 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,260 | 2.57 | 4.00 | $27.35 | $56,890 |
| Topeka, KS | 250 | 2.32 | 3.60 | $24.82 | $51,620 |