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Environmental Consulting
AECOM, Tetra Tech, WSP
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
These professionals collect samples, analyze pollution data, and turn the results into reports, permits, and public briefings. The work stands out because it sits between science and regulation: one week you may be in the field or lab, and the next you are explaining findings to agencies, developers, or community groups. The tradeoff is that the job is meaningful and analytically demanding, but growth is modest and the work depends heavily on rules, project cycles, and clear communication.
Also known as Environmental ScientistEnvironmental SpecialistEnvironmental AnalystEnvironmental ConsultantStaff Environmental Scientist
Median Salary
$80,060
Mean $88,640
U.S. Workforce
~85K
8.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.4%
90.3K to 94.3K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~85K workers, with a median annual pay of $80,060 and roughly 8.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 90.3 K in 2024 to 94.3K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Master's degree in environmental science or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Environmental Technician and can progress toward Senior Environmental Scientist / Project Lead. High-value skills usually include Environmental Data Analysis in Excel, R & GIS, EPA Regulations, Permitting & Compliance Reporting, and Air, Water & Soil Sampling & Field Instrumentation, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Collect air, water, soil, or pollution samples and record measurements in the field.
- Clean, organize, and analyze environmental data, then turn it into tables, charts, and summaries.
- Visit sites to check how construction, industry, or land use is affecting the environment.
- Write reports, memos, and technical summaries for agencies, companies, and the public.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Collect air, water, soil, or pollution samples and record measurements in the field.
02 Clean, organize, and analyze environmental data, then turn it into tables, charts, and summaries.
03 Visit sites to check how construction, industry, or land use is affecting the environment.
04 Write reports, memos, and technical summaries for agencies, companies, and the public.
05 Explain findings in meetings, workshops, training sessions, and public hearings.
06 Review environmental rules and recommend ways to reduce pollution or restore damaged land.
Industries That Hire
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Engineering & Construction
Jacobs, Bechtel, Burns & McDonnell
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Utilities & Energy
Duke Energy, NextEra Energy, Southern Company
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Manufacturing & Chemicals
Dow, 3M, BASF
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Water Services & Treatment
Veolia, American Water, Xylem
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Median pay is $80,060 and mean pay is $88,640, which is solid for a science-based role that typically does not require prior work experience.
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BLS projects 8.5 thousand annual openings, so there is a steady amount of hiring even though the field is not exploding.
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The work can have visible impact on pollution control, land use, and public health instead of staying abstract.
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You get a mix of fieldwork, computer analysis, and meetings, so the job is less repetitive than many desk-only science roles.
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The skills transfer across consulting, government, utilities, manufacturing, and water treatment, giving you several places to work.
Challenges
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Projected growth is 4.4% through 2034, which is respectable but not especially fast.
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Master’s degrees are common in the field at 45.2%, so people with only a bachelor’s may face more competition for better jobs.
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A lot of the work is reporting, documentation, and explaining technical findings, not just hands-on science.
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Field visits can mean bad weather, travel, and exposure to polluted or industrial sites.
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The job can rise and fall with regulation changes, permits, and project budgets, so it is tied to policy and industry cycles in a way some careers are not.
Career Progression
Environmental Technician
0-2 years
$42K-$57K
You support field sampling, equipment checks, and data entry while learning how environmental sites are measured and documented.
Environmental Specialist
2-5 years
$58K-$78K
You handle more of the data review, site inspections, and reporting, often helping senior staff with compliance and monitoring work.
Environmental Scientist and Specialist THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$79K-$101K
You analyze environmental data, write technical reports, and advise clients or agencies on pollution control, permits, and environmental impacts.
Senior Environmental Scientist / Project Lead
9-14 years
$102K-$130K
You lead larger studies or compliance programs, review other people’s work, and explain findings to decision-makers and the public.
Education Paths
Master's degree in environmental science or a related field
This is the most common education level in the O*NET distribution, held by 45.2% of workers in this role.
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, geology, or a related field
A bachelor's degree is the BLS typical entry point and accounts for 33.07% of workers in the O*NET distribution.
Post-baccalaureate certificate in environmental compliance or monitoring
This shorter pathway can help people with another science degree move into the field; 7.61% of workers are listed at this level in the O*NET distribution.
Industry certification paired with a science degree
Credentials such as environmental auditing, water-quality, or safety certifications can help you specialize, especially in compliance-focused jobs.
Key Skills
Technical
Environmental Data Analysis in Excel, R & GIS 81%
EPA Regulations, Permitting & Compliance Reporting 79%
Air, Water & Soil Sampling & Field Instrumentation 78%
Technical Writing & Data Visualization 78%
ArcGIS/QGIS & Spatial Mapping 77%
SQL, Databases & Statistical Software 74%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+4.4%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
8.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 90.3K to 94.3 K over the next decade, representing 4.4% growth. Around 8.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.