California / Water Resources / Environmental Scientist

Job-title file

Environmental Scientist

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

198 employees hold this title in Water Resources. Median total compensation for the role is $86,326, below the department median of $115,959.

Employees: 198
Total payroll: $15.9M
Role median: $86,326
Agency median: $115,959
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$155$111,213+

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

How total compensation varies among the 198 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 pays a median base salary of $85,826 for this role, 19% below that figure — about the 29th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Water Resources sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$65,350

$81,480

$106,510

$132,770

$161,910

Water Resources median · $85,826

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’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’s median base salary is 4% above that national figure, about the 54th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$52,520

$64,490

$82,220

$107,970

$140,010

Water Resources median · $85,826

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 183 of 198 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 is $86,326, 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, the median of $86,326 ranks #11 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

Food and Agriculture

$84,961 · 325

Transportation

$84,517 · 444

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

Emily Read

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2023 total comp

$89,001

Base pay: $87,470
Overtime: $756
Other pay: $775
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,001
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,749
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403500762016
Salary Total: $7,749
Total Pay: $89,001

Emily Read holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $89,001. Union affiliation: R10.

Guillermo Coronado

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$88,691

Base pay: $88,309
Overtime: $132
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,691
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8475000762013
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $88,691

Guillermo Coronado is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $88,691. They are represented by R10.

Scott Meyer

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$88,559

Base pay: $88,309
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,559
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403550762002
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $88,559

Scott Meyer works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Scott earned $88,559 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Shelbie Spencer

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$88,559

Base pay: $88,309
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,559
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403250762007
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $88,559

Shelbie Spencer holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $88,559. They are represented by R10.

Monia Holleman

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$88,359

Base pay: $88,309
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $50
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,359
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762008
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $88,359

Monia Holleman works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Monia earned $88,359 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Brian Bettencourt

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$88,035

Base pay: $87,585
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $450
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,035
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sutter
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8443000762003
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $88,035

Brian Bettencourt is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $88,035. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Maritza Pineda

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2023 total comp

$86,956

Base pay: $81,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,534
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,956
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,926
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403750762005
Salary Total: $7,926
Total Pay: $86,956

Maritza Pineda is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $86,956. Union affiliation: R10.

Sandra Gonzalez-Panduro

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,766

Base pay: $86,516
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,766
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8475000762003
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $86,766

Sandra Gonzalez-Panduro holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,766. They are represented by R10.

Brandy Smith

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,663

Base pay: $73,577
Overtime: $503
Other pay: $12,583
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,663
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,796
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403800762006
Salary Total: $6,558
Total Pay: $86,663

Brandy Smith holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,663. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Emily Hubbard

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,335

Base pay: $85,826
Overtime: $258
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,335
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403950762004
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $86,335

Emily Hubbard holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,335. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Amanda Blackwell

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,326

Base pay: $85,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,326
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762015
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $86,326

Amanda Blackwell holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,326. Union affiliation: R10.

Elena Huynh

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,326

Base pay: $85,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,326
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8463000762005
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $86,326

Elena Huynh holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,326. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Theo Claire

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,323

Base pay: $81,936
Overtime: $2,410
Other pay: $1,978
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,323
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8411510762001
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $86,323

Theo Claire holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $86,323. Union affiliation: R10.

Jenny Do

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$86,171

Base pay: $86,171
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,171
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403750762012
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $86,171

At Water Resources, Jenny Do serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $86,171. Union affiliation: R10.

Charles Polc

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$85,776

Base pay: $84,902
Overtime: $375
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,776
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762012
Salary Total: $6,885
Total Pay: $85,776

At Water Resources, Charles Polc serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $85,776. Union affiliation: R10.

Jessica Vollmer

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2023 total comp

$85,697

Base pay: $85,097
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,697
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,380
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416300762010
Salary Total: $7,380
Total Pay: $85,697

Jessica Vollmer holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $85,697. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Stephanie Hara

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$85,031

Base pay: $84,482
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $549
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,031
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,346
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762010
Salary Total: $7,089
Total Pay: $85,031

Stephanie Hara works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Stephanie earned $85,031 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Maria Jochimsen

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$84,968

Base pay: $84,468
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,968
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,673
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762002
Salary Total: $7,168
Total Pay: $84,968

Maria Jochimsen is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,968. They are represented by R10.

Marina Raya

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$84,715

Base pay: $83,745
Overtime: $721
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,715
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,492
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8475000762009
Salary Total: $7,230
Total Pay: $84,715

Marina Raya is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $84,715. They are represented by R10.

Craig Stuart

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$84,696

Base pay: $84,446
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,696
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,493
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403700762015
Salary Total: $7,231
Total Pay: $84,696

At Water Resources, Craig Stuart serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $84,696. They are represented by R10.

Sarah Perry

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2024 total comp

$84,363

Base pay: $84,063
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,363
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,240
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403700762010
Salary Total: $7,240
Total Pay: $84,363

Sarah Perry works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Sarah earned $84,363 in 2024. They are represented by R10.

Mackenzie Miner

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2024 total comp

$83,823

Base pay: $83,058
Overtime: $465
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,823
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,240
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403600762001
Salary Total: $7,240
Total Pay: $83,823

At Water Resources, Mackenzie Miner serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $83,823. Union affiliation: R10.

Jacob Bollinger

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$83,548

Base pay: $83,055
Overtime: -$7
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,548
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,492
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8475000762011
Salary Total: $7,230
Total Pay: $83,548

Jacob Bollinger is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $83,548. Their bargaining unit is R10.