Sustainability Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Sustainability Specialists Make?
Sustainability Specialists earn a median annual salary of $81,270 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,230 at the 10th percentile to $147,830 at the 90th percentile — a range of $101,600. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $106,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,230 |
| 25th percentile | $60,820 |
| Median (50th) | $81,270 |
| 75th percentile | $110,030 |
| 90th percentile | $147,830 |
Sustainability Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $106,810 |
| Maryland | $100,740 |
| Alabama | $98,070 |
| Washington | $93,450 |
| Hawaii | $90,580 |
| Alaska | $90,150 |
| Colorado | $89,860 |
| Oklahoma | $89,170 |
| New Hampshire | $88,860 |
| New Jersey | $88,070 |
| Rhode Island | $86,880 |
| Massachusetts | $86,030 |
| Virginia | $85,800 |
| Arizona | $85,390 |
| New York | $84,310 |
| Connecticut | $84,170 |
| California | $83,820 |
| South Dakota | $82,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,340 |
| Kansas | $81,100 |
| Missouri | $81,060 |
| North Dakota | $80,200 |
| Utah | $79,790 |
| Texas | $79,540 |
| South Carolina | $79,190 |
| Iowa | $78,970 |
| Nebraska | $78,590 |
| Illinois | $77,980 |
| Florida | $77,930 |
| Michigan | $77,920 |
| Ohio | $77,710 |
| Minnesota | $77,340 |
| North Carolina | $77,090 |
| New Mexico | $76,490 |
| Georgia | $75,820 |
| Indiana | $75,800 |
| Kentucky | $75,800 |
| Mississippi | $74,990 |
| Idaho | $74,960 |
| Maine | $74,510 |
| Wyoming | $74,470 |
| Montana | $72,690 |
| Tennessee | $72,550 |
| Oregon | $72,370 |
| Vermont | $67,160 |
| Wisconsin | $66,600 |
| Nevada | $63,970 |
| Louisiana | $62,300 |
| West Virginia | $62,210 |
| Arkansas | $60,610 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Sustainability Specialists
Sustainability Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,230 – $60,820 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$81,270 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$110,030 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $147,830+ |
How to Earn More as a Sustainability Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Sustainability Specialists in Lexington Park, MD earn $131,610 — $50,340 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($110,030) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Sustainability Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Specialistthis career | $81,270 |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | $206,420 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,740 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager | $167,740 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $161,180 |
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SOC: 13-1199.05 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.