California / Fish and Wildlife / Environmental Scientist

Job-title file

Environmental Scientist

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

698 employees hold this title in Fish and Wildlife. Median total compensation for the role is $82,005, below the department median of $83,440.

Employees: 698
Total payroll: $54.5M
Role median: $82,005
Agency median: $83,440
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$7,029$118,018+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 698 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Environmental Scientist pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — about 12,490 people — is $106,510. Fish and Wildlife pays a median base salary of $82,258 for this role, 23% below that figure — about the 26th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Fish and Wildlife sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$65,350

$81,480

$106,510

$132,770

$161,910

Fish and Wildlife median · $82,258

The bar is the range of annual wages for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health across every employer in California, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Fish and Wildlife’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — about 89,250 people — is $82,220. Fish and Wildlife’s median base salary is in line withthat national figure, about the 50th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$52,520

$64,490

$82,220

$107,970

$140,010

Fish and Wildlife median · $82,258

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the California range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 642 of 698 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Fish and Wildlife is $82,005, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across California

Environmental Scientist is held in 31 California departments. In Fish and Wildlife, the median of $82,005 ranks #19 of 31.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

$102,297 · 1

State Energy Res Cons&Dev Com

$98,960 · 1

Office of Emergency Services

$96,321 · 1

Consumer Affairs

$90,775 · 4

Forestry and Fire Protection

$90,588 · 46

CA Coastal Commission

$87,913 · 3

Department of Public Health

$87,243 · 75

Office of Secty Envirmtl Protect

$87,116 · 11

Department of Cannabis Control

$86,556 · 86

CA. Tahoe Conservancy

$86,419 · 3

Water Resources

$86,326 · 198

Food and Agriculture

$84,961 · 325

Median total compensation for the Environmental Scientist role in other Californiadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Environmental Scientist beyond California

This role is reported in 5 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $82,633 ranks #3 of 5. See Environmental Scientist across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

New York Public Authorities

$124,539 · 13

Utah

$94,585 · 332

Rhode Island

$22,349 · 127

City of Philadelphia

$18,294 · 13

Median total compensation for comparable Environmental Scientistroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Donovan Kirk Wakeman

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$61,110

Base pay: $60,610
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $61,110
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,639
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650390762068
Salary Total: $5,442
Total Pay: $61,110

Donovan Kirk Wakeman is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $61,110. They are represented by R10.

Joleena De La Fe

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$60,600

Base pay: $60,100
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,600
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5655310762002
Salary Total: $4,934
Total Pay: $60,600

Joleena De La Fe holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,600. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Shelli Nash

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$60,555

Base pay: $60,305
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,555
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654310762046
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $60,555

Shelli Nash holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $60,555. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Grant Piepkorn

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$60,515

Base pay: $60,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,515
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,639
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654310762002
Salary Total: $5,442
Total Pay: $60,515

At Fish and Wildlife, Grant Piepkorn serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $60,515. Union affiliation: R10.

Mary Gomes

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$60,298

Base pay: $60,048
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,298
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762057
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $60,298

Mary Gomes works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Mary earned $60,298 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Ren Cotter

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$60,062

Base pay: $59,285
Overtime: $481
Other pay: $296
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,062
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654310762048
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $60,062

Ren Cotter is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $60,062. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Chinnu Xiong

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,664

Base pay: $59,618
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $46
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654810762008
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $59,664

Chinnu Xiong is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $59,664. They are represented by R10.

Hena Osmani

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,555

Base pay: $59,055
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,555
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,639
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650380762049
Salary Total: $5,181
Total Pay: $59,555

Hena Osmani works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Hena earned $59,555 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Kelsey Mcdonald

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,522

Base pay: $49,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,646
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,522
Employment type: Part-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651310762064
Salary Total: $3,796
Total Pay: $59,522

Kelsey Mcdonald holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is part-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $59,522. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Dan Hansen

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,476

Base pay: $58,988
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $489
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,476
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,613
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650260762006
Salary Total: $8,312
Total Pay: $59,476

Dan Hansen works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Dan earned $59,476 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Sofia Cortes

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,420

Base pay: $59,420
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,420
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654810762905
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $59,420

Sofia Cortes works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Sofia earned $59,420 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Janelle Deshais

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,398

Base pay: $50,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,499
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,398
Employment type: Part-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651310762016
Salary Total: $4,282
Total Pay: $59,398

Janelle Deshais holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is part-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $59,398. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Keoni Gross

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,317

Base pay: $58,787
Overtime: $438
Other pay: $92
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,317
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654810762905
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $59,317

At Fish and Wildlife, Keoni Gross serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $59,317. Union affiliation: R10.

Austin Gutierrez

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$59,243

Base pay: $58,743
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,243
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656030762019
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $59,243

Austin Gutierrez holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $59,243. They are represented by R10.

Amanda Chavez

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$58,708

Base pay: $58,283
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $425
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,708
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Joaquin
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,638
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653310762039
Salary Total: $5,441
Total Pay: $58,708

Amanda Chavez works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Amanda earned $58,708 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Nicholas Magnuson

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$58,674

Base pay: $58,174
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,674
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Napa
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653310762006
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $58,674

Nicholas Magnuson works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Nicholas earned $58,674 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Kimberly Rogers

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$58,581

Base pay: $53,622
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,960
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,581
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,894
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650010762905
Salary Total: $6,894
Total Pay: $58,581

At Fish and Wildlife, Kimberly Rogers serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $58,581. Union affiliation: R10.

Alex Ledesma

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$58,497

Base pay: $58,247
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,497
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656050762015
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $58,497

Alex Ledesma works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Alex earned $58,497 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Jonathan Kang

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$58,347

Base pay: $58,247
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $100
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,347
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Siskiyou
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651410762029
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $58,347

Jonathan Kang works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Jonathan earned $58,347 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Sebastian Ayala

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$58,032

Base pay: $57,257
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $775
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,032
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Inyo
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,188
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656040762905
Salary Total: $5,188
Total Pay: $58,032

At Fish and Wildlife, Sebastian Ayala serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $58,032. They are represented by R10.

Tariq Alexander Celeste

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$57,430

Base pay: $57,105
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $325
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,430
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Joaquin

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,638
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653230762905
Salary Total: $5,441
Total Pay: $57,430

At Fish and Wildlife, Tariq Alexander Celeste serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $57,430. Union affiliation: R10.

Melony Wood

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$57,248

Base pay: $55,348
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,899
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,248
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Napa
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,894
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653310762007
Salary Total: $6,894
Total Pay: $57,248

Melony Wood holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $57,248. Union affiliation: R10.

Rayna Fitzgerald

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$57,109

Base pay: $56,909
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,109
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Solano
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653840762205
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $57,109

At Fish and Wildlife, Rayna Fitzgerald serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $57,109. Union affiliation: R10.

Rebecca Orta

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$56,837

Base pay: $56,762
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $75
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,837
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,639
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654310762027
Salary Total: $4,921
Total Pay: $56,837

Rebecca Orta works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Rebecca earned $56,837 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Rachelle Tallman

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$56,664

Base pay: $54,824
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,840
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,664
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,894
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650330762037
Salary Total: $6,894
Total Pay: $56,664

Rachelle Tallman works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Rachelle earned $56,664 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Olivia Johnson

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$56,585

Base pay: $54,496
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,089
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,585
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,894
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5655410762905
Salary Total: $6,894
Total Pay: $56,585

Olivia Johnson is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $56,585. They are represented by R10.

Elyse Freitas

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2023 total comp

$56,388

Base pay: $51,469
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,919
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,388
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,375
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5652430762905
Salary Total: $6,375
Total Pay: $56,388

At Fish and Wildlife, Elyse Freitas serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $56,388. They are represented by R10.

David Custer

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$56,228

Base pay: $55,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,228
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5652410762905
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $56,228

At Fish and Wildlife, David Custer serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $56,228. They are represented by R10.

Jerry Kashiwada

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2023 total comp

$56,112

Base pay: $47,196
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,917
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,112
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,926
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762021
Salary Total: $7,926
Total Pay: $56,112

At Fish and Wildlife, Jerry Kashiwada serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $56,112. Union affiliation: R10.

Camden Esch

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$56,023

Base pay: $53,773
Overtime: $2,250
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,023
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Mendocino
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $4,871
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651810762015
Salary Total: $4,701
Total Pay: $56,023

Camden Esch holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $56,023. Union affiliation: R10.

Emily Leon

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$55,990

Base pay: $55,490
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,990
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656030762001
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $55,990

Emily Leon works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Emily earned $55,990 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Dane Chaim Mcdermott

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$55,869

Base pay: $55,619
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,869
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Monterey

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,370
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762059
Salary Total: $5,182
Total Pay: $55,869

Dane Chaim Mcdermott works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Dane earned $55,869 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Brigid Moran

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$55,759

Base pay: $53,126
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,633
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,759
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,895
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5655310762034
Salary Total: $6,895
Total Pay: $55,759

Brigid Moran holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,759. Their bargaining unit is R10.