Climate Scientists

Environmental scientists (a general occupational category that includes climate scientists) earned salaries that ranged from $48,580 to $133,660 or more in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They earned a median yearly salary of $78,980. Fifty percent of environmental scientists made between $60,920 and $103,420. Environmental scientists who were employed by state agencies earned mean annual salaries of $75,990, while those who worked at management, scientific, and technical consulting services firms received $90,290.

Climate scientists receive benefits such as health insurance; paid vacation, holiday, and sick time; employer-paid training; tuition reimbursement; and pension and retirement benefits. Those who are self-employed as consultants must provide their own benefits.