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Environmental Scientist

Overview and Key Facts

Environmental scientist
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$80,060
Job Growth
Job Growth
4.40%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
94,300

What Do They Do?

An environmental scientist could...

 
Checking chemicals in water
Conduct experiments with dyes to see how chemicals might disperse during a toxic spill.
Air pollution graph
Create maps and graphs showing air pollutants over time to help politicians make informed decisions.
Woman feeding birds
Evaluate how increasing human populations influence interactions between wildlife and people.
Monitoring water quality in pond
Monitor water quality at beaches, lakes, and rivers to detect contaminants and keep people safe.
 
Checking chemicals in water Air pollution graph Woman feeding birds Monitoring water quality in pond

Overview Listen to this section

Have you ever noticed that for people with asthma it can sometimes be especially hard to breathe in the middle of a busy city? One reason for this is the exhaust from vehicles. Cars, buses, and motorcycles add pollution to our air, which affects our health. But can pollution impact more than our health? Cutting down trees, or deforestation, can contribute to erosion, which carries off valuable topsoil. But can erosion alter more than the condition of the soil? How does an oil spill harm fish and aquatic plants? How does a population of animals interact with its environment? These are questions that environmental scientists study and try to find answers to. They conduct research or perform investigations to identify and eliminate the sources of pollution or hazards that damage either the environment or human and animal health. Environmental scientists are the stewards of our environment and are committed to keeping it safe for future generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJlOuTvK-k

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Environmental Scientist?


  1. Writing: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  4. Speaking: ?
  5. Reading Comprehension: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Environmental Scientist might do:
  • Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
  • Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
  • Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
  • Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
  • Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
  • Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
  • Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
  • Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
  • Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
  • Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
  • Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
  • Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Environmental Scientist Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Environmental Scientist jobs (4.40%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Environmental Scientist

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's degree in an earth science is adequate for entry-level positions, although many companies prefer to hire environmental scientists with a master's degree in environmental science or a related natural science. A doctoral degree generally is necessary only for college teaching and some research positions. Some environmental scientists and specialists have a degree in environmental science, but many earn degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, or the geosciences and then apply their education to the study of the environment. They often need research or work experience related to environmental science.

A bachelor's degree in environmental science offers an interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, and geology. Undergraduate environmental science majors typically focus on data analysis and physical geography, which are particularly useful in studying pollution abatement, water resources, or ecosystem protection, restoration, and management. Understanding the geochemistry of inorganic compounds is becoming increasingly important in developing remediation goals. Students interested in working in the environmental or regulatory fields, either in environmental consulting firms or for federal or state governments, should take courses in hydrology, hazardous-waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic logging, which is the gathering of geologic data. An understanding of environmental regulations and government permit issues also is valuable.

For environmental scientists and specialists who consult, courses in business, finance, marketing, or economics may be useful. In addition, combining environmental science training with other disciplines such as engineering or business qualifies these scientists for the widest range of jobs.

Companies That Hire Environmental Scientists

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Meet Dr. Staci Simonich, an environmental chemist who is studying how pesticides move globally through the air.
I study the atmosphere because when a pollutant gets into the atmosphere, it can be transported long distances. It can end up on Denali or on the top of a mountain, our site at Mt. Bachelor, or our sites in Alaska. That’s what interests me. 
Dr. Staci Simonich, Environmental Chemist
Kathryn Snead is an environmental scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency. In this interview, she talks about her career and what she enjoys doing in her personal life.
I do radiological emergency response, program, planning and policy. My husband often jokes that if there is a big radiological emergency I will be running towards the phone while everyone else is running to safety. 
Kathryn Snead, Environmental Scientist, EPA

Nature of the Work

Environmental scientists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment by identifying problems and finding solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population. They analyze measurements or observations of air, food, water, and soil to determine ways to clean and preserve the environment. Understanding the issues involved in protecting the environment—degradation, conservation, recycling, and replenishment—is central to the work of environmental scientists. They often use this understanding to design and monitor waste disposal sites, preserve water supplies, and reclaim contaminated land and water. They also draft risk assessments, describing the likely effect of construction and other environmental changes, write technical proposals, and give presentations to managers and regulators.

Many environmental scientists work for local, state, and federal governments, ensuring that environmental regulations are followed to limit the impact of human activity on the environment. Others monitor environmental impacts on the health of the population, checking for risks of disease and providing information about health hazards. Environmental scientists also work with private companies to help them comply with environmental regulations and policies. They are usually hired by consulting firms to solve problems.

Many environmental scientists have jobs and training similar to other physical or life scientists, but they focus on environmental issues. Many specialize in subfields such as environmental ecology and conservation, environmental chemistry, environmental biology, or fisheries science. Specialties affect the specific activities that environmental scientists perform, although recent understandings of the interconnectedness of life processes have blurred some traditional classifications. For example, environmental ecologists study the relationships between organisms and their environments and the effects on both by factors such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. They may collect, study, and report data on air, soil, and water using their knowledge of various scientific disciplines. Ecological modelers study ecosystems, pollution control, and resource management using mathematical modeling, systems analysis, thermodynamics, and computer techniques. Environmental chemists study the toxicity of various chemicals—that is, how those chemicals harm plants, animals, and people.

Work Environment

Many entry-level environmental scientists and specialists spend a significant amount of time in the field, while experienced workers generally devote more time to office or laboratory work. Some environmental scientists, such as environmental ecologists and environmental chemists, often take field trips that involve physical activity. Environmental scientists in the field may work in warm or cold climates, in all kinds of weather. Travel often is required to meet with prospective clients.

More Information

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