How to Become an Environmental Scientist in Virginia: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median environmental scientist salary in Virginia is $82,230 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.
Environmental Scientist Salary in Virginia
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia entry level (10th percentile) | $57,720 |
| Virginia 25th-75th percentile | $68,030 - $102,750 |
| Virginia median | $82,230 |
| Virginia top earners (90th percentile) | $135,580 |
| U.S. median | $82,220 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 2,850.
The Virginia Job Market: Environmental Scientist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Virginia | 2,850 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.69 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.21 |
| Mean annual wage in Virginia | $90,500 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.21, Virginia employs environmental scientists at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in Virginia
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology - while licensing runs through Virginia’s own boards: No license for most roles; certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. Verify current requirements with the Virginia licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become an Environmental Scientist.
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 an environmental scientist make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists, including health in Virginia is $82,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), in line with the national median of $82,220.
How do I become an environmental scientist in Virginia?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in environmental science, chemistry, or geology - with licensing administered at the state level: No license for most roles; certifications (e.g., asbestos/lead assessor) role-specific. See the steps below.
How many environmental scientists work in Virginia?
BLS counts about 2,850 environmental scientists and specialists, including health employed in Virginia (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Environmental Scientist in Nearby States
- Environmental Scientist in Utah
- Environmental Scientist in Vermont
- Environmental Scientist in Washington
- Environmental Scientist in West Virginia
Related
- How to Become an 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), Virginia 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) |