Sources: Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division, Nebraska Classification & Pay Plan (July 1, 2026); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Nebraska state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 1, 2026. These are the ranges Nebraska sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Environmental Specialist I Class E45011 Grade E45011 · Classified pay by class – E: Engineering, Science and Resources Bargaining Unit | $24.43 – $36.02 a hour $50,819 – $74,911 a year |
| Environmental Specialist I Class R45011 Grade R45011 · Classified pay by class – R: Temporary Non-Contract Group | $24.43 – $36.02 a hour $50,819 – $74,911 a year |
| Environmental Specialist II Class E45012 Grade E45012 · Classified pay by class – E: Engineering, Science and Resources Bargaining Unit | $26.26 – $38.72 a hour $54,627 – $80,529 a year |
| Environmental Specialist II Class R45012 Grade R45012 · Classified pay by class – R: Temporary Non-Contract Group | $26.26 – $38.72 a hour $54,627 – $80,529 a year |
| Environmental Specialist III Class E45013 Grade E45013 · Classified pay by class – E: Engineering, Science and Resources Bargaining Unit | $29.54 – $43.55 a hour $61,449 – $90,584 a year |
| Environmental Specialist III Class V45013 Grade V45013 · Classified pay by class – V: Supervisory Non-Contract Group | $29.54 – $43.55 a hour $61,449 – $90,584 a year |
Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions (hourly × 2,080). Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division, Nebraska Classification & Pay Plan (July 1, 2026). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in Nebraska, all employers Sourced
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041) in Nebraska, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NE |
|---|---|
| Workers | 510 |
| 10th percentile | $52,110 |
| Median | $64,040 |
| 90th percentile | $101,190 |
| National median, government employers | $82,730 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Environmental Scientist (government) page.