Environmental Scientist Average Salary in Australia 2023
How much money does an Environmental Scientist make in Australia?
LOW
80,600
AUD AVERAGE
149,000
AUD HIGH
225,000
AUD
A person working as an Environmental Scientist in Australia typically earns around 149,000 AUD per year. Salaries range from 80,600 AUD (lowest) to 225,000 AUD (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Environmental Scientist salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Environmental Scientist Salary Distribution in Australia
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Environmental Scientist salaries in Australia range from 80,600 AUD per year (minimum salary) to 225,000 AUD per year (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 137,000 AUD per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as Environmental Scientist(s) are earning less than 137,000 AUD while the other half are earning more than 137,000 AUD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Environmental Scientist(s) are earning less than 98,100 AUD while 75% of them are earning more than 98,100 AUD. Also from the diagram, 75% of Environmental Scientist(s) are earning less than 167,000 AUD while 25% are earning more than 167,000 AUD.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
Environmental Scientist Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Environmental Scientist salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
An Environmental Scientist with less than two years of experience makes approximately 93,600 AUD per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 118,000 AUD per year, 26% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 156,000 AUD per year, 32% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Environmental Scientist(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 183,000 AUD per year, 18% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 203,000 AUD per year, 11% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 216,000 AUD per year, 6% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Environmental Scientist average salary change by experience in Australia
| 0 - 2 Years | 93,600 AUD | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +26% | 118,000 AUD |
| 5 - 10 Years | +32% | 156,000 AUD |
| 10 - 15 Years | +18% | 183,000 AUD |
| 15 - 20 Years | +11% | 203,000 AUD |
| 20+ Years | +6% | 216,000 AUD |
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Environmental Scientist Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Environmental Scientist(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Environmental Scientist salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary of an Environmental Scientist is 112,000 AUD per year.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 150,000 AUD per year, 33% more than someone having a Bachelor's Degree degree.
A PhD gets its holder an average salary of 214,000 AUD per year, 42% more than someone with a Master's Degree.
Environmental Scientist average salary difference by education level in Australia
| Bachelor's Degree | 112,000 AUD | |
| Master's Degree | +33% | 150,000 AUD |
| PhD | +42% | 214,000 AUD |
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Australia costs anywhere from 37,800 Australian Dollar(s) to 114,000 Australian Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Environmental Scientist Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Environmental Scientist employees in Australia earn 5% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 153,000 AUD | |
| Female | -5% | 146,000 AUD |
Salary Comparison By Gender in Australia for all Careers
Environmental Scientist Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Australia
How much are annual salary increments in Australia for Environmental Scientist(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist(s) in Australia are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 11% every 18 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 16 months.
Australia / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 4% | |
| Energy | 8% | |
| Information Technology | 3% | |
| Healthcare | 7% | |
| Travel | 2% | |
| Construction | 6% | |
| Education | 1% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Australia for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Environmental Scientist Bonus and Incentive Rates in Australia
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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An Environmental Scientist is considered to be a moderate bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
46% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 54% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 4% to 5% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 54% | |
| No Bonus | 46% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Environmental Scientist Average Hourly Wage in Australia
72 AUD per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Australia is 72 AUD. This means that the average Environmental Scientist in Australia earns approximately 72 AUD for every worked hour.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
Environmental Scientist VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Environmental Scientist is 55% more than that of Environmental. Also, Environmental salaries are 6% more than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Environment Advisor | 126,000 AUD |  -16% |
| Environmental and Agricultural Scientist | 151,000 AUD |  +1% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector | 65,500 AUD | -56% |
| Environmental Coordinator | 54,400 AUD | -64% |
| Environmental Economist | 153,000 AUD | +2% |
| Environmental Educator | 118,000 AUD | -21% |
| Environmental Engineer | 88,400 AUD | -41% |
| Environmental Health Practitioner | 167,000 AUD | +12% |
| Environmental Manager | 154,000 AUD | +3% |
| Environmental Officer | 44,500 AUD | -70% |
| Environmental Planner | 56,500 AUD | -62% |
| Environmental Protection Officer | 45,000 AUD | -70% |
| Environmental Restoration Planner | 80,200 AUD | -46% |
| Environmental Scientist | 149,000 AUD | -0% |
| Environmental Services Coordinator | 49,000 AUD | -67% |
| Environmental Specialist | 70,900 AUD | -53% |
| Environmental Superintendent | 63,100 AUD | -58% |
| Environmental Technician | 45,200 AUD | -70% |
| Forestry Consultant | 109,000 AUD | -27% |
| Forestry Supervisor | 64,400 AUD | -57% |
| Geologist | 160,000 AUD | +7% |
| Senor Environmental Health Practitioner | 154,000 AUD | +3% |
| Toxicologist | 101,000 AUD | -32% |
| Waste Management Manager | 139,000 AUD | -7% |
| Waste Tracking Specialist | 111,000 AUD | -26% |
| Water Treatment Superintendent | 74,900 AUD | -50% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Adelaide | 154,000 AUD |
| Brisbane | 161,000 AUD |
| Canberra-Queanbeyan | 146,000 AUD |
| Gold Coast-Tweed | 150,000 AUD |
| Gosford | 132,000 AUD |
| Melbourne | 165,000 AUD |
| Newcastle | 143,000 AUD |
| Perth | 158,000 AUD |
| Sunshine Coast | 138,000 AUD |
| Sydney | 169,000 AUD |
| Wollongong | 136,000 AUD |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Australia earn 5% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 88,600 AUD | |
| Public Sector | +5% | 93,000 AUD |
