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

Dennis J Finger

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$93,676

Base pay: $80,904
Overtime: $390
Other pay: $12,381
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,676
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403800762007
Salary Total: $6,885
Total Pay: $93,676

Dennis J Finger works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Dennis earned $93,676 in 2025. They are represented by R10.

Justin Call

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$93,615

Base pay: $87,585
Overtime: $4,764
Other pay: $1,266
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,615
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Tehama
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8443000762020
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $93,615

Justin Call holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $93,615. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Kyle Hartwigsen

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$93,571

Base pay: $93,321
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,571
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,321
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403300762017
Salary Total: $7,890
Total Pay: $93,571

At Water Resources, Kyle Hartwigsen serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $93,571. They are represented by R10.

Amy Chase

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$93,150

Base pay: $92,479
Overtime: $183
Other pay: $487
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,150
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403950762003
Salary Total: $7,907
Total Pay: $93,150

Amy Chase works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Amy earned $93,150 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Victoria Rouse-Jones

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$92,826

Base pay: $91,964
Overtime: $362
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,826
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416500762013
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $92,826

At Water Resources, Victoria Rouse-Jones serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $92,826. They are represented by R10.

Elizabeth Maldonado

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2023 total comp

$92,603

Base pay: $86,821
Overtime: $3,976
Other pay: $1,806
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,603
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Kern

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,380
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8425200762001
Salary Total: $7,380
Total Pay: $92,603

At Water Resources, Elizabeth Maldonado serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $92,603. They are represented by R10.

Jeffrey Jenkins

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$92,594

Base pay: $92,344
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,594
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Butte
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403300762024
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $92,594

Jeffrey Jenkins is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $92,594. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Wenguang Zhao

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$92,357

Base pay: $91,964
Overtime: $143
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,357
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8416300762013
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $92,357

At Water Resources, Wenguang Zhao serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $92,357. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Anthony Elias-Linarez

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$92,309

Base pay: $91,584
Overtime: $474
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,309
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403500762014
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $92,309

At Water Resources, Anthony Elias-Linarez serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $92,309. Union affiliation: R10.

Bayan Ahmed

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$92,152

Base pay: $89,033
Overtime: $2,869
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,152
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403200762019
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $92,152

Bayan Ahmed works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Bayan earned $92,152 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Ryan Sekikawa

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,964

Base pay: $91,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,964
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403750762003
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $91,964

Ryan Sekikawa is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $91,964. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Willard Vang

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,705

Base pay: $91,205
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,705
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8463000762006
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $91,705

Willard Vang works as a Environmental Scientist for Water Resources. Their status is full-time. Willard earned $91,705 in 2025. Union affiliation: R10.

Nicholas Teague

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2024 total comp

$91,672

Base pay: $88,612
Overtime: $2,660
Other pay: $400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,672
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,601
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8475000762005
Salary Total: $7,601
Total Pay: $91,672

Nicholas Teague holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,672. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Michelle Nelson

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,169

Base pay: $90,944
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $225
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,169
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,673
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403700762013
Salary Total: $8,369
Total Pay: $91,169

Michelle Nelson holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $91,169. Union affiliation: R10.

Malorie Sassman

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,115

Base pay: $89,757
Overtime: $1,108
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,115
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403250762002
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $91,115

At Water Resources, Malorie Sassman serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $91,115. They are represented by R10.

Samuel Malone

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,093

Base pay: $90,843
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,093
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403200762024
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $91,093

At Water Resources, Samuel Malone serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $91,093. Union affiliation: R10.

Sarah Stinson

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$91,068

Base pay: $90,843
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $225
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,068
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,261
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403550762004
Salary Total: $7,972
Total Pay: $91,068

Sarah Stinson holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $91,068. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Cassidy Mcdonald-Ryan

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2024 total comp

$90,986

Base pay: $89,926
Overtime: $536
Other pay: $523
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,986
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,029
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8433200762005
Salary Total: $7,029
Total Pay: $90,986

Cassidy Mcdonald-Ryan holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,986. They are represented by R10.

Alexander Tasoff

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$90,706

Base pay: $90,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $225
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,706
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403200762025
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $90,706

Alexander Tasoff holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $90,706. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Janine Beck

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$90,495

Base pay: $90,232
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $263
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,495
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,315
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8427130762002
Salary Total: $8,024
Total Pay: $90,495

Janine Beck is a Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $90,495. Union affiliation: R10.

Forrest Hansen

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$90,435

Base pay: $89,757
Overtime: $428
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,435
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Yolo
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,868
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8403800762001
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $90,435

Forrest Hansen holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $90,435. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Michelle Pombrol

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$89,533

Base pay: $89,033
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,533
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: 8416300762003
Salary Total: $7,593
Total Pay: $89,533

At Water Resources, Michelle Pombrol serves as a Environmental Scientist. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $89,533. Union affiliation: R10.

Alicia Helfrick

Environmental Scientist/Water Resources

2025 total comp

$89,279

Base pay: $80,087
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,193
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,279
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Tehama
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 8443000762006
Salary Total: $6,885
Total Pay: $89,279

Alicia Helfrick holds the role of Environmental Scientist at Water Resources. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $89,279. Union affiliation: R10.