Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $67,370 -15.9% vs national
Median hourly $32.39
10th percentile $46,510
90th percentile $93,450
Employed locally 50
National median $80,060

Compare Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary & buying power

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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,510
    25th
    $63,950
    50th (median)
    $67,370
    75th
    $78,210
    90th
    $93,450

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary vs area income 112% Median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary is 12% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Georgia nonmetropolitan area $178,960
    District of Columbia $122,440
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,240
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $109,520
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $108,310
    Monroe, MI $107,990

    Nearby metros — Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,240
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $97,380
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $90,040
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $89,840
    Anchorage, AK $86,630
    Grand Junction, CO $82,350

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Chemists$76,490
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,080
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$83,480
    Biological Technicians$52,930
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$92,780
    Urban and Regional Planners$75,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Hickory, NC is $32.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.47 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salaries?

    The median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in Hickory, NC is 15.9% below the national median of $80,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Hickory?

    Entry-level Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (10th percentile) earn around $46,510 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,950.