Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health's pay go, state by state?
A Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health's pay leaves the most room in District of Columbia — about $7,522/mo take-home against $1,900/mo typical rent — and the least in Florida.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $7,522/mo | $1,900/mo | 25% |
| Massachusetts | $6,523/mo | $1,716/mo | 26% |
| Rhode Island | $5,710/mo | $1,289/mo | 23% |
| Colorado | $5,964/mo | $1,659/mo | 28% |
| California | $6,233/mo | $1,969/mo | 32% |
| Ohio | $5,184/mo | $986/mo | 19% |
| Alaska | $5,434/mo | $1,361/mo | 25% |
| Montana | $5,101/mo | $1,031/mo | 20% |
| Oregon | $5,446/mo | $1,431/mo | 26% |
| Michigan | $5,086/mo | $1,072/mo | 21% |
| Georgia | $5,290/mo | $1,320/mo | 25% |
| Connecticut | $5,356/mo | $1,483/mo | 28% |
| Washington | $5,509/mo | $1,641/mo | 30% |
| Iowa | $4,798/mo | $932/mo | 19% |
| Texas | $5,160/mo | $1,328/mo | 26% |
| Minnesota | $5,005/mo | $1,230/mo | 25% |
| New Mexico | $4,809/mo | $1,034/mo | 22% |
| Arkansas | $4,668/mo | $903/mo | 19% |
| New York | $5,369/mo | $1,621/mo | 30% |
| Illinois | $4,953/mo | $1,246/mo | 25% |
| Alabama | $4,642/mo | $967/mo | 21% |
| Virginia | $5,164/mo | $1,547/mo | 30% |
| Oklahoma | $4,584/mo | $970/mo | 21% |
| New Jersey | $5,266/mo | $1,656/mo | 31% |
| Maryland | $5,278/mo | $1,683/mo | 32% |
| Tennessee | $4,660/mo | $1,111/mo | 24% |
| South Dakota | $4,418/mo | $910/mo | 21% |
| North Dakota | $4,418/mo | $911/mo | 21% |
| Nevada | $4,909/mo | $1,478/mo | 30% |
| New Hampshire | $4,839/mo | $1,424/mo | 29% |
| Kansas | $4,432/mo | $1,025/mo | 23% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,571/mo | $1,176/mo | 26% |
| Vermont | $4,570/mo | $1,207/mo | 26% |
| Louisiana | $4,355/mo | $1,028/mo | 24% |
| Idaho | $4,489/mo | $1,163/mo | 26% |
| West Virginia | $4,152/mo | $848/mo | 20% |
| Missouri | $4,284/mo | $997/mo | 23% |
| Wyoming | $4,265/mo | $979/mo | 23% |
| Wisconsin | $4,290/mo | $1,033/mo | 24% |
| North Carolina | $4,380/mo | $1,147/mo | 26% |
| Arizona | $4,583/mo | $1,419/mo | 31% |
| Utah | $4,540/mo | $1,396/mo | 31% |
| Indiana | $4,153/mo | $1,022/mo | 25% |
| Nebraska | $3,973/mo | $1,017/mo | 26% |
| South Carolina | $4,082/mo | $1,131/mo | 28% |
| Mississippi | $3,816/mo | $933/mo | 24% |
| Maine | $3,957/mo | $1,104/mo | 28% |
| Hawaii | $4,633/mo | $1,927/mo | 42% |
| Delaware | $3,948/mo | $1,321/mo | 33% |
| Kentucky | $3,530/mo | $918/mo | 26% |
| Florida | $3,541/mo | $1,542/mo | 44% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.