Industrial Ecologists

Salaries for industrial ecologists vary depending on such factors as their level of education, experience, area of specialization, and the organization for which they work.

Industrial ecologists earned average salaries of $73,413 in December 2023, according to Comparably. Salaries ranged from $35,336 for entry-level positions to $307,940 or more for senior-level jobs.

The median annual income of environmental scientists and specialists was $78,980 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest 10 percent earned $48,580 and the top 10 percent earned $133,660 or more.

Federal agency jobs tend to pay more than state or local agency jobs. Federally employed environmental scientists and specialists earned about $111,910 per year in May 2023, while those employed by state governments averaged $75,990 per year, and those working in local governments earned $80,450 annually. Private sector jobs tend to pay more than public sector jobs.

Benefits for industrial ecologists depend on the employer; however, they usually include such items as health insurance, retirement or 401(k) plans, and paid vacation days.