California / Water Resources Control Board / Environmental Scientist

Job-title file

Environmental Scientist

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

422 employees hold this title in Water Resources Control Board. Median total compensation for the role is $83,105, below the department median of $110,246.

Employees: 422
Total payroll: $32.2M
Role median: $83,105
Agency median: $110,246
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$110,935+

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

How total compensation varies among the 422 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. Water Resources Control Board pays a median base salary of $83,400 for this role, 22% below that figure — about the 27th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Water Resources Control Board sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$65,350

$81,480

$106,510

$132,770

$161,910

Water Resources Control Board median · $83,400

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 Water Resources Control Board’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. Water Resources Control Board’s median base salary is 1% above that national figure, about the 51st percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$52,520

$64,490

$82,220

$107,970

$140,010

Water Resources Control Board median · $83,400

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 394 of 422 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 Water Resources Control Board is $83,105, 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 Water Resources Control Board, the median of $83,105 ranks #16 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

Sara Manukyan

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$77,348

Base pay: $76,998
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,348
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801500762182
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $77,348

Sara Manukyan works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Sara earned $77,348 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Andrea Sellers

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$77,170

Base pay: $68,693
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,477
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,170
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,029
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8803000762048
Salary Total: $7,029
Total Pay: $77,170

At Water Resources Control Board, Andrea Sellers serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,170. They are represented by R10.

Alessandra Moyer

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$77,139

Base pay: $74,288
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,851
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,139
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801200762059
Salary Total: $8,118
Total Pay: $77,139

Alessandra Moyer holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $77,139. Union affiliation: R10.

Paola Gonzalez

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2023 total comp

$76,709

Base pay: $75,946
Overtime: $263
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,709
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,029
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802400762070
Salary Total: $6,704
Total Pay: $76,709

Paola Gonzalez is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $76,709. They are represented by R10.

Alyssa Duro

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$76,468

Base pay: $76,018
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $450
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,468
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801700762023
Salary Total: $6,227
Total Pay: $76,468

Alyssa Duro is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $76,468. They are represented by R10.

Elena Suglia

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$76,238

Base pay: $75,738
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,238
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802700762002
Salary Total: $6,556
Total Pay: $76,238

At Water Resources Control Board, Elena Suglia serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $76,238. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Ashley Olmeda

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$76,218

Base pay: $44,280
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $31,938
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,218
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,380
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801400762073
Salary Total: $7,380
Total Pay: $76,218

At Water Resources Control Board, Ashley Olmeda serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $76,218. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Taylor Morris

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$75,669

Base pay: $75,019
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $650
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,669
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8803000762009
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $75,669

Taylor Morris works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Taylor earned $75,669 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Jillian Lee

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2023 total comp

$75,612

Base pay: $74,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $820
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,612
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,694
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802500762241
Salary Total: $6,694
Total Pay: $75,612

Jillian Lee holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $75,612. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Qiyan Chen

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2023 total comp

$75,550

Base pay: $75,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $550
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,550
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,250
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8803000762061
Salary Total: $6,250
Total Pay: $75,550

At Water Resources Control Board, Qiyan Chen serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $75,550. They are represented by R10.

Jordan Butler

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$75,511

Base pay: $69,781
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,730
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,511
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,566
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8803000762038
Salary Total: $6,566
Total Pay: $75,511

Jordan Butler is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $75,511. They are represented by R10.

Michelle Dela Cruz

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$75,181

Base pay: $74,681
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,181
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8804560762003
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $75,181

Michelle Dela Cruz holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $75,181. They are represented by R10.

Heather Staplin

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$74,956

Base pay: $74,456
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,956
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801500762171
Salary Total: $6,227
Total Pay: $74,956

At Water Resources Control Board, Heather Staplin serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $74,956. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Hope Sexton

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$74,790

Base pay: $74,290
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,790
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: San Benito
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801400762046
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $74,790

Hope Sexton holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $74,790. Union affiliation: R10.

Abigail Smith

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$74,768

Base pay: $60,709
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $14,059
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,768
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Alameda
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,926
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801200762402
Salary Total: $7,926
Total Pay: $74,768

Abigail Smith is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $74,768. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Favian Tong

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$74,639

Base pay: $74,189
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $450
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,639
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Orange
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801800762026
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $74,639

Favian Tong is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $74,639. Union affiliation: R10.

Aundrea Asbell

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$74,281

Base pay: $73,931
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $350
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,281
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802500762225
Salary Total: $6,193
Total Pay: $74,281

Aundrea Asbell works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. Aundrea earned $74,281 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Michael Macon

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2023 total comp

$74,255

Base pay: $59,876
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $14,379
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,255
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,748
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8803000762047
Salary Total: $7,748
Total Pay: $74,255

At Water Resources Control Board, Michael Macon serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $74,255. Union affiliation: R10.

Ashley Powell

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2024 total comp

$73,631

Base pay: $68,355
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,276
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,631
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,380
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802500762078
Salary Total: $7,380
Total Pay: $73,631

Ashley Powell holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $73,631. Union affiliation: R10.

Ruben Bayon

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$73,623

Base pay: $73,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $475
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,623
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8801400762074
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $73,623

Ruben Bayon holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $73,623. They are represented by R10.

Alice Lopes

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$73,584

Base pay: $73,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $375
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,584
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Contra Costa
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8804550762004
Salary Total: $7,481
Total Pay: $73,584

At Water Resources Control Board, Alice Lopes serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,584. They are represented by R10.

Khali Debbad

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources Control Board

2025 total comp

$72,568

Base pay: $72,068
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8802500762011
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $72,568

Khali Debbad is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources Control Board. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $72,568. Union affiliation: R10.