Environmental Engineers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, environmental engineers earn $142,000 at the median — $68.27 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $122,827 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 43% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $142K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About environmental engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level environmental engineers (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $142K.Top earners bring in $204K or more - a $115K spread from bottom to top.
Environmental Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $130K | +25% | 740 |
| California | $128K | +23% | 4,770 |
| District of Columbia | $126K | +21% | 170 |
| Louisiana | $123K | +18% | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $117K | +12% | 1,410 |
| Washington | $116K | +11% | 1,330 |
| Alaska | $114K | +9% | 240 |
| Nevada | $112K | +8% | 210 |
| Texas | $109K | +4% | 1,710 |
| Connecticut | $108K | +4% | 500 |
| Illinois | $108K | +3% | 1,410 |
| Rhode Island | $107K | +2% | 90 |
| Ohio | $106K | +2% | 970 |
| Hawaii | $105K | +1% | 260 |
| Minnesota | $105K | +1% | 980 |
Track environmental engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do environmental engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $142,000 a year - that works out to about $68.27 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $89,180, and experienced environmental engineers can clear $203,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $142K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,206/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a environmental engineers salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median environmental engineers salary is worth about $122,827 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do environmental engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.