How to Become a Environmental Scientist in Connecticut: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median environmental scientist salary in Connecticut is $82,070 per year - in line with the national median of $82,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology.
How to Become a Environmental Scientist in Connecticut
1. Start or continue as a technician
Sampling and field-tech experience counts heavily at consulting firms.
2. Earn the bachelor’s degree
Environmental science, chemistry, or geology - online programs fit field schedules.
3. Move to staff scientist
Phase I/II site assessments and remediation projects are the core work.
4. Add role certifications
OSHA HAZWOPER, asbestos/lead assessor, or stormwater credentials by specialty.
5. Advance
Project manager, then program or office leadership.
Requirements in Connecticut
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology. There is no occupational license for environmental scientists in most states, including Connecticut. certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications before you enroll, as details change.
Environmental Scientist Salary in Connecticut
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut entry level (10th percentile) | $60,820 |
| Connecticut 25th-75th percentile | $70,200 - $107,380 |
| Connecticut median | $82,070 |
| Connecticut top earners (90th percentile) | $130,620 |
| U.S. median | $82,220 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 620.
The Connecticut Job Market: Environmental Scientist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Connecticut | 620 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.37 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.64 |
| Mean annual wage in Connecticut | $100,040 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.64, Connecticut employs environmental scientists at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,520 |
| 25th | $64,490 |
| 50th (median) | $82,220 |
| 75th | $107,970 |
| 90th | $140,010 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 90,300 |
| 2034 projected | 94,300 |
| Percent change | +4.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a environmental scientist make in Connecticut?
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists, including health in Connecticut is $82,070 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), in line with the national median of $82,220.
How to become a environmental scientist in Connecticut?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in environmental science, chemistry, or geology. There is no occupational license for environmental scientists in most states, including Connecticut. certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications. See the steps on this page.
How many environmental scientists work in Connecticut?
BLS counts about 620 environmental scientists and specialists, including health employed in Connecticut (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Environmental Scientist in Nearby States
- Environmental Scientist in California
- Environmental Scientist in Colorado
- Environmental Scientist in Delaware
- Environmental Scientist in District of Columbia
Related
- How to Become a Environmental Scientist (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041), Connecticut and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |