2006 Salary Survey: The Numbers Game
Jul 01, 2006
No doubt these days many of you environmental professionals feel that the odds of boosting your salaries are about as uncertain as playing the lottery. Just like the numbers game in gambling, betting your future on a particular career path can be risky when it's so hard to predict how events in the days ahead will impact your profession.
Although our economy continues to show some promising signs of growth, such as the U.S. gross domestic product growing at an average rate of 4 percent, the salaries of many environmental professionals in both the private and public sectors continue to be fairly stagnant. The factors creating the downward pressure on compensation, benefits, and bonuses are varied. For example, a number of U.S. manufacturing facilities are considering outsourcing their operations to foreign countries with cheaper labor costs, which translates into job losses for their in-house environmental managers. As well, many governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local levels that employ environmental personnel are currently undergoing financial belt-tightening. Nonetheless, other environmental professionals are finding improved earnings because they work for companies in growth areas, such as oil and gas production, or they are employed by consulting firms that are engaged in successful ventures like large brownfield remediation projects
| Job Title |
Total Average
|
Bonus |
Male |
Female |
| Consultant |
$63,974.38 |
$3,415.50 |
$78,351.98 |
$69,574.42 |
| Corporate
Level Manager |
$63,954.60 |
$2,775.42 |
$92,977.38 |
$74,205.22 |
| Corporate
Level Staff |
$63,468.86 |
$2,938.70 |
$78,712.53 |
$70,197.83 |
| Division
Level Manager |
$65,649.54 |
$2,853.11 |
$86,029.57 |
$63,690.66 |
| Division
Level Staff |
$68,069.75 |
$2,429.91 |
$73,240.00 |
$66,366.66 |
| Engineer |
$64,638.16 |
$3,517.35 |
$73,029.60 |
$63,672.04 |
| Health/Safety
Supervisor |
$63,758.80 |
$3,488.36 |
$60,839.96 |
$57,577.38 |
| Plant
Level Manager |
$65,649.54 |
$2,853.11 |
$75,328.31 |
$79,017.00 |
| Plant
Level Staff |
$64,063.26 |
$2,869.61 |
$68,578.94 |
$69,464.00 |
| Plant
Manager |
$66,482.29 |
$1,450.00 |
$65,204.75 |
$64,000.00 |
| Regulatory
Compliance Specialist |
$63,931.94 |
$3,429.78 |
$64,911.67 |
$57,874.00 |
| Scientist |
$64,909.82 |
$2,885.11 |
$71,475.75 |
$49,848.90 |
| Trainer |
$65,049.66 |
$2,868.78 |
$63,255.55 |
***** |
| Other |
$63,943.36 |
$2,895.80 |
$66,136.85 |
$55,773.00 |
[
No doubt these days many of you environmental professionals feel that the odds of boosting your salaries are about as uncertain as playing the lottery. Just like the numbers game in gambling, betting your future on a particular career path can be risky when it's so hard to predict how events in the days ahead will impact your profession.
Although our economy continues to show some promising signs of growth, such as the U.S. gross domestic product growing at an average rate of 4 percent, the salaries of many environmental professionals in both the private and public sectors continue to be fairly stagnant. The factors creating the downward pressure on compensation, benefits, and bonuses are varied. For example, a number of U.S. manufacturing facilities are considering outsourcing their operations to foreign countries with cheaper labor costs, which translates into job losses for their in-house environmental managers. As well, many governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local levels that employ environmental personnel are currently undergoing financial belt-tightening. Nonetheless, other environmental professionals are finding improved earnings because they work for companies in growth areas, such as oil and gas production, or they are employed by consulting firms that are engaged in successful ventures like large brownfield remediation projects
| Job Title |
Total Average
|
Bonus |
Male |
Female |
| Consultant |
$63,974.38 |
$3,415.50 |
$78,351.98 |
$69,574.42 |
| Corporate
Level Manager |
$63,954.60 |
$2,775.42 |
$92,977.38 |
$74,205.22 |
| Corporate
Level Staff |
$63,468.86 |
$2,938.70 |
$78,712.53 |
$70,197.83 |
| Division
Level Manager |
$65,649.54 |
$2,853.11 |
$86,029.57 |
$63,690.66 |
| Division
Level Staff |
$68,069.75 |
$2,429.91 |
$73,240.00 |
$66,366.66 |
| Engineer |
$64,638.16 |
$3,517.35 |
$73,029.60 |
$63,672.04 |
| Health/Safety
Supervisor |
$63,758.80 |
$3,488.36 |
$60,839.96 |
$57,577.38 |
| Plant
Level Manager |
$65,649.54 |
$2,853.11 |
$75,328.31 |
$79,017.00 |
| Plant
Level Staff |
$64,063.26 |
$2,869.61 |
$68,578.94 |
$69,464.00 |
| Plant
Manager |
$66,482.29 |
$1,450.00 |
$65,204.75 |
$64,000.00 |
| Regulatory
Compliance Specialist |
$63,931.94 |
$3,429.78 |
$64,911.67 |
$57,874.00 |
| Scientist |
$64,909.82 |
$2,885.11 |
$71,475.75 |
$49,848.90 |
| Trainer |
$65,049.66 |
$2,868.78 |
$63,255.55 |
***** |
| Other |
$63,943.36 |
$2,895.80 |
$66,136.85 |
$55,773.00 |
Trends Impacting Salaries
In response to our query about which new developments will impact environmental professionals' current and future income, our survey participants gave us a variety of answers. For example, a number of the respondents commented on environmental professionals' rising influence in the corporate arena. A female consultant from Pittsburgh stated "One clear trend I've observed is that environmental professionals are moving up the plant management ladders and corporate ladders. I believe this is occurring because business is recognizing the importance of their key management understanding environmental issues? and useful skills that are easily transferable to management positions." Along the same lines, a male manager from Denver, Colo. states, "Environmental is finally being recognized as a core business function that is integral to managing operations." Expanding on this idea, a male manager from Georgia said, "This field is growing in corporate importance with things like Sarbanes-Oxley reporting, a growing focus on sustainability, and environmental management systems." A male manager from Huntington, Pa., agreed "The environmental professional will be more of a risk management professional."
Several respondents focused on the growing importance of water-related issues. Emphasizing how crucial this sector is, a male manager from Columbus, Ohio, said, "Clean water may become the world's number one commodity." Agreeing with this sentiment, a male employee at a public utility in Columbus, Ga., stated, "The fight over water and watershed protection will be driving factors in the next several years." Along the same lines, a male consultant from Gainesville, Fla., stated, ""Continued depletion of water resources, combined with an expanding population, will put increasing stresses on local, state, and federal governments to provide clean drinking water."
Focusing on several water issues that have received a lot of media attention recently, a female consultant from Des Moines, Iowa, said, "Continued emphasis on pharmaceuticals in groundwater, oceanic pollution, and effects on the food chain" would have a strong impact on the environmental profession. Likewise, a male manager from Portland, Ore., commented, "Cleaning up contaminated water bodies, public and private lands, and water resources will provide future professionals a lifetime of work." Citing yet another growth sector related to water quality, a male consultant from Utica, NY, said, "Enforcement actions may increase and stimulate NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) stormwater management work."
Another important emerging area is the need for greater security throughout our society. According to a male consultant from Columbus, Ohio, "Environmental spending has taken a back seat to homeland security and the war in Iraq. I would not expect to see increases in salary or employment levels." Echoing this view, a female government employee from Bloomingdale, Ill., stated "Energy programs, security, and emergency response will be come a larger part of environmental management." As well, a male consultant from Chicago saw career opportunities stemming from "growth in sustainability and energy audits in conjunction with EHS (environmental, health and safety) support tied into security audits."
|
Regulatory
Compliance Specialist |
Consultant |
Health and
Safety Supervisor |
Engineer |
Corporate
Level Manager |
| SECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
| Academia |
$48,323.00 |
$100,000.00 |
$54,950.00 |
$86,675.00 |
$84,500.00 |
| Consulting
Firm |
$64,142.90 |
$76,003.10 |
$65,944.44 |
$65,771.17 |
$103,375.00 |
| Government |
$54,372.35 |
$66,000.00 |
$71,210.53 |
$74,384.00 |
$88,000.00 |
| Manufacturing |
$65,955.70 |
$96,500.00 |
$57,471.81 |
$67,243.76 |
$87,659.00 |
| Utility |
$79,125.00 |
$84,667.00 |
$69,240.00 |
$76,642.87 |
$86,779.17 |
| Water
Treatment |
$78,666.67 |
|
$50,000.00 |
$61,500.00 |
$50,000.00 |
| Other |
$62,954.06 |
$86,133.33 |
$61,156.04 |
$93,134.00 |
$90,863.00 |
| GENDER |
|
|
|
|
|
| Male
|
$64,641.26 |
$78,352.00 |
$60,839.97 |
$73,043.57 |
$92,977.00 |
| Female |
$57,874.00 |
$69,574.42 |
$57,577.38 |
$63,672.04 |
$74,205.22 |
| AGE |
|
|
|
|
|
| 20
to 29 |
$46,508.57 |
$45,041.09 |
$45,974.00 |
$51,263.33 |
$51,000.00 |
| 30
to 39 |
$55,367.71 |
$66,616.67 |
$60,150.86 |
$64,991.35 |
$76,276.19 |
| 40
to 49 |
$64,670.00 |
$80,366.01 |
$58,843.00 |
$73,951.85 |
$93,257.04 |
| 50
to 59 |
$64,375.70 |
$85,882.00 |
$64,134.55 |
$75,504.69 |
$90,511.63 |
| 60
to 69 |
$74,580.00 |
$118,709.17 |
$67,000.00 |
$92,364.80 |
$95,571.43 |
| 70
or older |
$65,000.00 |
$102,555.60 |
$58,300.00 |
$68,800.00 |
$126,333.33 |
| SUPERVISE |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1
to 5 |
$64,053.23 |
$71,953.17 |
$61,395.00 |
$71,967.84 |
$89,462.64 |
| 6
to 10 |
$60,722.77 |
$89,757.69 |
$71,125.00 |
$75,500.00 |
$97,833.33 |
| 11
to 20 |
$77,250.00 |
$105,041.70 |
$70,250.00 |
$81,000.00 |
$98,945.83 |
| 21
to 50 |
$55,000.00 |
$126,500.00 |
$56,333.33 |
*** |
$102,428.60 |
| 51
or more |
|
$76,250.00 |
$54,488.28 |
$59,500.00 |
$84,125.00 |
| EDUCATION |
|
|
|
|
|
| GED |
$45,000.00 |
|
$60,000.00 |
*** |
|
| High
School |
$55,500.00 |
$50,000.00 |
$53,367.65 |
$67,500.00 |
$67,000.00 |
| Bachelors |
$62,619.24 |
$64,856.75 |
$60,791.63 |
$67,518.67 |
$84,478.00 |
| Masters |
$67,194.76 |
$80,240.00 |
$68,361.00 |
$73,889.44 |
$95,982.45 |
| Doctorate |
$65,000.00 |
$124,071.40 |
$110,000.00 |
$90,753.14 |
$118,428.60 |
| Other |
$51,666.67 |
$80,000.00 |
$53,441.26 |
$62,177.14 |
$75,166.67 |
| EXPERIENCE |
|
|
|
|
|
| 0
to 5 |
$50,164.62 |
$43,942.69 |
$51,036.16 |
$60,088.88 |
$63,600.00 |
| 6
to 10 |
$52,371.67 |
$63,548.00 |
$56,795.00 |
$64,109.24 |
$71,412.00 |
| 11
to 20 |
$68,128.00 |
$77,433.48 |
$67,534.91 |
$76,607.07 |
$88,333.85 |
| 20
or more |
$71,587.21 |
$98,927.91 |
$73,172.00 |
$83,115.05 |
$102,056.80 |
Not surprisingly, several participants commented on energy issues. A female governmental employee from Hays, Kan., stated, "The petro-energy crisis has finally gained the spotlight, and I see this as the greatest impact." Focusing on the implications of this development, a male environmental professional from Denver, Colo., stated, "Environmental professionals will be instrumental in enabling us to shift from a carbon-based economy to the renewable-based economy."
A number of respondents described what they viewed as the Bush administration's negative effect on the profession. A male consultant from Philadelphia, Pa. gave a typical response, "George Bush is trying to relax environmental laws, and that will decrease the amount of monitoring and treatment system work." In a similar vein, a male environmental professional from West Chester, Pa., said, "If the Republicans stay in office and enforcement remains light, the amount and quality of environmental work for seasoned professionals will continue to decline."
One prediction had negative implications for in-house environmental professionals. A female consultant from Baton Rouge, La., observed, "I see companies cutting back on plant-based environmental professions and outsourcing to consultants." Yet, on the flip side, a male manager from Bay City, Mich., commented, "As the baby boomers retire, demand may actually increase in the coming years."
Additionally, our survey participants cited a wide range of other issues that will have strong impacts on the profession. A male manager from, St. Paul, Minn., pointed out, "Global warming will see growing importance. Reducing greenhouse gases will rise to the top of transportation and industrial sector radar screens." Looking in a different direction, a male consultant from Gainesville, Fla., stated, "The green building/sustainable design business is finally becoming main stream because it makes economic sense." A female manager from San Diego, Calif., said a growing trend was "international regulations, such as WEEE/RoHs," while a male manager from Dallas observed that "e-waste and packaging" were moving to the foreground in importance.
| Percentage
of Respondents by Certification |
| PE |
10.74% |
| CHMM |
10.62% |
| REM |
5.19% |
| EIT |
4.76% |
| SCP |
4.64% |
| PG |
4.58% |
| CIH |
1.81% |
| REA |
1.63% |
| DEE |
1.09% |
| QEP |
1.03% |
| CEP |
0.84% |
| CET |
0.66% |
| OTH |
16.34% |
If You Could Go Back in Time?
We asked the survey participants the question, "If you had it to do all over again, would you enter the environmental field?" Overall, the great majority of the respondents indicated that they enjoy a high level of job satisfaction in the environmental profession and would do it all over again if given the choice.
Many respondents appear to approach their jobs as a means to promote a higher good for our society. For example, a male consultant from Stamford, Conn., said "I feel that I am making the world a better place. I love what I do." Another respondent, a female employee of a public utility from Everett, Mass., commented, "Working to protect the environmental is as important as protecting the life that depends on it." Similarly, a male consultant from Bellevue, Wash., stated, "It's important work; we need to save what is left of our planet for future generations."
"Environmental professionals are needed to balance the two extremes (extreme environmentalists and extreme industries) and provide good economics and good environmental stewardship," said a male employee for a public utility located in Lincoln, Neb.
Other respondents commented on the aspects of their jobs that bring them personal pleasure. A male academic from Los Angeles said, "The rewards have been reasonable -- you will not be wealthy or poor. I love the application of science, good ethics, and meeting so many people." Along similar lines, a male consultant from Idaho Falls, Idaho, stated, "I like the multidisciplinary scientific opportunities in the environmental profession, coupled with teaching, legal, construction, business, and sales requirements."
Many respondents mentioned they were attracted to the variety they found in their jobs. A male consultant from Westbrook, Maine, said, "The work is dynamic and also changing -- never a routine, mundane workday." Sharing a similar outlook, a male consultant from Phoenix, Ariz., said he enjoyed his job because it is "exciting, challenging, and involves leading-edge technology."
Based on their responses, it appears some participants chose their professions partly because of their love of the outdoors. A male consultant from St. Augustine, Fla., commented "Working outside and in the dirt is great." Likewise, a male consultant from Princeton, NJ, said, "This is a perfect field for someone who does not like to be confined to a traditional office environment.
Despite the positive feedback from most of our survey respondents, a minority of the participants were discontented with the environmental profession. For example, a female consultant from Denver, Colo., commented that she was "frustrated with bureaucracy -- more time is spent pushing paper than doing something good for the environment." Also complaining about the work load, a female environmental professional from Chapel Hill, NC, said, "There are too many regulations and not enough personnel to help with compliance."
| Average
Salary By Location |
| Alabama
|
$57,845.77 |
Kentucky
|
$65,540.19 |
Oklahoma
|
$64,645.46 |
| Alaska
|
$58,000.00 |
Louisiana
|
$74,300.00 |
Ontario |
$70,000.00 |
| Alberta
|
$64,333.33 |
Maine
|
$67,375.00 |
Oregon
|
$65,360.00 |
| Arizona
|
$70,521.94 |
Manitoba |
$95,000.00 |
Pennsylvania
|
$72,532.88 |
| Arkansas
|
$49,333.33 |
Maryland
|
$76,721.68 |
Puerto
Rico |
$67,875.00 |
| Australia
|
$90,000.00 |
Massachusetts
|
$84,154.85 |
Rhode
Island |
$73,666.67 |
| Bangladesh |
$50,000.00 |
Mexico |
$86,500.00 |
Saudi
Arabia |
$52,000.00 |
| British
Columbia |
$46,000.00 |
Michigan
|
$62,542.11 |
South
Carolina |
$69,560.00 |
| California
|
$81,743.83 |
Minnesota
|
$64,382.85 |
Tennessee
|
$67,729.27 |
| Colorado
|
$72,767.24 |
Mississippi
|
$60,250.00 |
Texas
|
$68,093.03 |
| Connecticut
|
$79,041.67 |
Missouri
|
$71,261.73 |
United
Arab Emirates |
$35,000.00 |
| Delaware
|
$65,342.86 |
Montana
|
$56,000.00 |
Utah
|
$61,142.86 |
| Florida
|
$65,093.57 |
North
Carolina |
$70,916.51 |
Virginia
|
$74,106.67 |
| Georgia
|
$67,447.62 |
North
Dakota |
$52,600.00 |
Vermont
|
$45,000.00 |
| Germany |
$100,000.00 |
Nebraska
|
$58,082.35 |
Washington
|
$63,779.41 |
| Guam |
$34,000.00 |
Nevada
|
$63,000.00 |
Washington
D.C. |
$106,111.11 |
| Hawaii
|
$68,428.57 |
New
Hampshire |
$65,833.33 |
West
Virginia |
$55,586.90 |
| Idaho
|
$66,289.29 |
New
Jersey |
$86,848.98 |
Western
Australia |
$130,000.00 |
| Ill.
|
$75,324.43 |
New
Mexico |
$74,636.36 |
Wisconsin
|
$58,015.15 |
| Indiana
|
$62,662.50 |
Nova
Soctia |
$32,500.00 |
Wyoming
|
$52,500.00 |
| Iowa
|
$62,887.78 |
New
York |
$73,273.72 |
| Kansas
|
$68,606.06 |
Ohio
|
$72,008.85 |
Other respondents expressed concerns about the potential liability they incurred as a result of their jobs. A male manager from Reidsville, NC, complained, "Too many headaches and responsibility with little respect." A male manager from Great Falls, Mont., agreed, "The legal risks are out of control."
Several readers expressed remorse over lost career opportunities. For example, a male consultant from Baton Rouge, La. said, "The environmental market is too trendy and federally driven. If I did it all over again, I would choose a more traditional profession in the medical field."
Chips off the Old Blocks?
"Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be environmental professionals," quipped a male manager from Clanton, Ala., in response to our survey question that asked our readers whether they want their children to go into the environmental field. We received a wide variety of responses from our readers related to this topic.
| Percentage
of Respondents by Salary Range |
| $30,000
to $40,000 |
8.32% |
| $40,001
to $50,000 |
15.26% |
| $50,001
to $70,000 |
32.39% |
| $70,000
to $90,000 |
25.15% |
| $90,001
to $100,000 |
8.81% |
| $100,001
to $120,000 |
6.39% |
| $120,001
to $150,000 |
3.08% |
| $150,000+ |
0.54% |
Numerous respondents emphasized that the most important thing is for their children to behappy with their chosen careers. A female consultant from Philadelphia stated, "I love my job and hope that my children would appreciate that love, but everyone has to find his or her own path." In a similar vein, a male manager from Baltimore said, "I don't have children but would hope that the next generation is able to find a profession both technically challenging and emotionally satisfying." Commenting on the passion needed to be a successful environmental professional, a male governmental employee from Charleston, SC, stated, "The environment, as a career, has to be nearly a calling, not just a job. If they felt called, I could not stop them."
Other respondents focused on what they perceived as the need for future generations to protect the environment. A male consultant from Newburgh, NY, exclaimed, "Someone has to continue the battle!" A female consultant from Waterloo, Iowa, shared a similar outlook and said, "Our children are our legacies. If they don't care for the environment, then there may not be a world left to care about for their children and future generations." Likewise, a male manager from, New York City said, "Yes, because it is going to be a never ending process balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship."
In contrast, a sizable number of participants did not want their offspring to follow in their footsteps. A male consultant from Denville, NJ, stated, "I would rather see my children become successful professionals in other disciplines (education, medical, technology, owning a business)." Another respondent, a male consultant from Los Angeles, expressed his view that the environmental profession is "flat, not a growing field, and has low compensation." Similarly, a male governmental employee from Dallas said, "There are less dangerous and easier jobs that pay better." Pointing to what she considers to be shortcomings in the profession, a female manager from Gallantin, Tenn., emphasized, "I want them to protect the environment, but the hours and stress are too high to work in this field."
Survival Tactics in This Changing Employment Climate
In today's challenging business climate, it's important to have a clear plan about where your want your career to go. Some of our readers shared their suggestions about strategies for helping fellow environmental professionals increase their current wages and develop marketable skills to make them attractive to both current and future employers.
| Percentage
of Respondents by Sector |
| Academia |
2.59% |
| Consulting |
23.52% |
| Government |
15.92% |
| Manufacturing |
39.32% |
| Municipal
Landfill |
0.18% |
| Other |
10.37% |
| Utility |
5.91% |
| Water
Treatment |
1.45% |
A male manager from Choshocton, Ohio, commented that nowadays, successful environmental professionals are "doing more with less, becoming multitasking magicians." Along those lines, a male governmental employee from Seattle pointed out that "Bottom line -- we either continue to add value to our company or they will contract out. It's just business!" A male consultant from Langorne, Pa. further points out that the new trend is "tying bonuses to performance."
According to several of our respondents, in order for environmental professionals to be successful they need be versatile enough to function as trained specialists in certain work assignments and as multitasking generalists in other situations. A male consultant from Boston, said, "Certification will be a key issue over the next several years. We need to do our best to keep up with the changes in order to better serve our clients. Another respondent, a male consultant from Rochester, NY, shared this view and stated, "I see a trend in consulting firms becoming increasingly specialized and recruiting individuals who have already received advanced degrees and certifications as opposed to individuals with more general backgrounds."
The most frequently mentioned hot areas for environmental professionals to add to their skill sets include the following: knowledge of new forms of modeling and sampling methods; specialization in environmental management system (EMS) compliance; experience in sustainable design and urban planning; expertise in site security and inherently safer technology (IST); and management of water supplies.
|
Percentage
of Respondents by Area of Specialization |
| Environmental
Management |
58.81% |
| Hazardous
Waste |
45.48% |
| Water/Wastewater |
44.93% |
| Health/Safety |
44.51% |
| Air
Quality |
35.16% |
| Solid
Waste |
29.73% |
| Other |
11.82% |
Looking at our readers' overall feedback about the present state of the environmental profession causes us to believe that, while many segments of the environmental field are becoming sluggish, other areas are doing well and offer good opportunities for financial advancement. Even though there are no sure bets in the field right now, environmental professionals' success both now and in the coming years depends on their ability to master new job skills that are in demand in the changing workplace. Being aware of new developments in your industry is one of the best ways to stack the odds in your favor.
Methodology
2,122 environmental professionals
responded to this year's salary survey. 1,671 respondents actually provided information about their salaries and 758 participants answered at least one of the survey's open-ended questions. The questionnaire was available
online at Environmental Protection's Web site (www.eponline.com). For calculation purposes, the average was used in obtaining the figures. This should not be considered a statistically valid survey, but rather an informal representation of our readership's responses.
|