Environmental Scientist Salary in Rhode Island
Based on 330+ workers in Rhode Island
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$100,730
$48.43/hr
vs National Average
$80,042
+25.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$66K – $139K
330 employed in Rhode Island
Salary Distribution — Environmental Scientist in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,420 |
| 25th percentile | $79,770 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,730 |
| 75th percentile | $123,180 |
| 90th percentile | $139,050 |
Top-Paying Industries for Environmental Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Environmental Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Environmental Scientists in Rhode Island tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $134,100 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,660 | 210 |
| Manufacturing | $120,930 | 1K |
| Utilities | $115,170 | 1K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $110,020 | 1K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Environmental Scientist in Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,580 |
| 2023 | $87,840 |
| 2024 | $90,460 |
| 2025 | $100,730 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,774 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,580 | $70,215 |
| 2023 | $87,840 | $74,160 |
| 2024 | $90,460 | $77,423 |
| 2025 | $100,730 | $80,042 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,774 | $84,845 |
Environmental Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,770 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $100,730 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $123,180 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $139,050 |
Environmental Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Environmental Scientist Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Environmental Scientist ($100,730 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Environmental Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in RI | $155,150 | +54.0% | $74.59/hr |
| Geoscientist in RI | $121,010 | +20.1% | $58.18/hr |
| Psychologist in RI | $107,490 | +6.7% | $51.68/hr |
| Medical Scientist in RI | $103,370 | +2.6% | $49.70/hr |
| Chemist in RI | $101,660 | +0.9% | $48.88/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in RI | $90,210 | -10.4% | $43.37/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in RI | $76,710 | -23.8% | $36.88/hr |
| Registered Nurse in RI | $100,640 | -0.1% | $48.38/hr |
| Financial Analyst in RI | $100,550 | -0.2% | $48.34/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in RI | $101,140 | +0.4% | $48.63/hr |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer in RI | $101,140 | +0.4% | $48.63/hr |
| Occupational Therapist in RI | $100,040 | -0.7% | $48.10/hr |