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

Geir Aasen

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$173,674

Base pay: $108,306
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $65,369
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $173,674
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Joaquin

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653230762019
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $173,674

Geir Aasen is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $173,674. Union affiliation: R10.

Mary Kier

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$155,484

Base pay: $110,287
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $45,197
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $155,484
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Humboldt
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,877
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651410762018
Salary Total: $9,143
Total Pay: $155,484

At Fish and Wildlife, Mary Kier serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $155,484. They are represented by R10.

Ben Stewart

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$133,120

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $25,861
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,120
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762051
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $133,120

Ben Stewart works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Ben earned $133,120 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

David Lyons

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$131,534

Base pay: $100,222
Overtime: $30,712
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $131,534
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,877
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762018
Salary Total: $9,055
Total Pay: $131,534

At Fish and Wildlife, David Lyons serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $131,534. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Riley Smith

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$128,977

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $21,676
Other pay: $542
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,977
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762032
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $128,977

Riley Smith is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,977. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Kristine Lesyna

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$128,745

Base pay: $92,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $36,605
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,745
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762081
Salary Total: $9,571
Total Pay: $128,745

Kristine Lesyna is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $128,745. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Hailey M Cole

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$126,710

Base pay: $105,086
Overtime: $17,305
Other pay: $4,319
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,710
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Solano
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762050
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $126,710

Hailey M Cole holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $126,710. They are represented by R10.

Roy Kim

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$126,487

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $19,227
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,487
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Joaquin
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762048
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $126,487

At Fish and Wildlife, Roy Kim serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $126,487. They are represented by R10.

Douglas Post

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$126,427

Base pay: $115,544
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,883
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $126,427
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5650710762024
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $126,427

Douglas Post works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Douglas earned $126,427 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

John Hileman

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$124,678

Base pay: $119,376
Overtime: $5,301
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,678
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Trinity
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651410762030
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $124,678

John Hileman holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $124,678. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Bridget Gibbons

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$123,578

Base pay: $89,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $34,053
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $123,578
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: V

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,981
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5652310762014
Salary Total: $7,981
Total Pay: $123,578

Bridget Gibbons works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Bridget earned $123,578 in 2024. They are represented by R10.

Chanelle Davis-Haley

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$122,658

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $11,724
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,658
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656040762013
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $122,658

Chanelle Davis-Haley is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $122,658. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Laura Cockrell

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$121,915

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $430
Other pay: $14,726
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,915
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Glenn
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5652840762002
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $121,915

Laura Cockrell works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Laura earned $121,915 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Kelley Ann Nelson

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$119,420

Base pay: $109,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,494
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,420
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,877
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654310762040
Salary Total: $9,143
Total Pay: $119,420

Kelley Ann Nelson is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $119,420. Union affiliation: R10.

Tracie Nelson

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$117,928

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,494
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,928
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5655610762002
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $117,928

Tracie Nelson is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $117,928. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Heather Gliniak

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$115,668

Base pay: $109,893
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,775
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,668
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762028
Salary Total: $9,274
Total Pay: $115,668

Heather Gliniak holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $115,668. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Carrington Hilson

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$113,897

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $7,137
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,897
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Del Norte
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651810762008
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $113,897

Carrington Hilson works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Carrington earned $113,897 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Hideaki Kubo

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$113,613

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $6,354
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,613
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5652410762035
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $113,613

At Fish and Wildlife, Hideaki Kubo serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $113,613. Union affiliation: R10.

Derek Stein

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$113,560

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,125
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,560
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762023
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $113,560

Derek Stein is a Environmental Scientist at Fish and Wildlife. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $113,560. Union affiliation: R10.

Kathryn Gumm

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$113,472

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,038
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,472
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5657720762013
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $113,472

Kathryn Gumm works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Kathryn earned $113,472 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Darrick Muir

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2024 total comp

$112,938

Base pay: $112,513
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $425
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,938
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Shasta
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,877
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5651410762002
Salary Total: $8,877
Total Pay: $112,938

Darrick Muir works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Darrick earned $112,938 in 2024. They are represented by R10.

Samantha Przeklasa

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$112,487

Base pay: $106,760
Overtime: $5,227
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,487
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5656050762011
Salary Total: $8,995
Total Pay: $112,487

At Fish and Wildlife, Samantha Przeklasa serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $112,487. Union affiliation: R10.

Marcia Grefsrud

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$112,211

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,776
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,211
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Solano
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5653310762057
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $112,211

At Fish and Wildlife, Marcia Grefsrud serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $112,211. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Daniel Fidler

Environmental Scientist/Fish and Wildlife

2025 total comp

$111,950

Base pay: $110,435
Overtime: $1,090
Other pay: $425
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,950
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5654810762010
Salary Total: $9,368
Total Pay: $111,950

Daniel Fidler works as a Environmental Scientist for Fish and Wildlife. Their status is full-time. Daniel earned $111,950 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.