Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Charleston, WV
In Charleston, WV, environmental scientists and specialists, including healths earn $64,840 at the median — $31.17 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.72), which stretches that salary to about $73,084 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,036/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in Charleston?
About environmental scientists and specialists, including healths
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston, WV
Entry-level environmental scientists and specialists, including healths (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $102K or more - a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $122K | +53% | 1,480 |
| California | $98K | +22% | 13,200 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +20% | 2,890 |
| Oregon | $94K | +17% | 1,400 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +13% | 370 |
| Illinois | $89K | +11% | 1,330 |
| Washington | $89K | +11% | 4,280 |
| Minnesota | $87K | +9% | 1,980 |
| Alaska | $87K | +9% | 660 |
| Maryland | $82K | +3% | 1,800 |
| Georgia | $82K | +2% | 1,530 |
| Utah | $81K | +2% | 860 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +2% | 680 |
| North Dakota | $81K | +1% | 230 |
| Ohio | $81K | +1% | 2,570 |
Track environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do environmental scientists and specialists, including healths make in Charleston, WV?
The median is $64,840 a year - that works out to about $31.17 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,160, and experienced environmental scientists and specialists, including healths can clear $101,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,298/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,036/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 24.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary go in Charleston?
Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 88.72 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary is worth about $73,084 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do environmental scientists and specialists, including healths 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.