Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Collecting and analyzing environmental data—air, soil, water, and pollution measurements—is the core of the job, followed by reporting what the data show and recommending how to prevent or control harm. Time also goes to reviewing and applying environmental standards and regulations, processing permits and licenses, and conducting audits or inspections when rules may have been broken. Findings are shared in briefings, written documents, workshops, hearings, or training, and guidance is given to agencies, industry, or the public. Advice may cover policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management. Suits people who like combining sample data with careful reading of rules and explaining technical findings to mixed audiences.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$82'220
Median Wage Market Position
$82'220
What you might do
- Collect and analyze air, soil, and water samples
- Track pollution and suggest ways to limit it
- Share findings in briefings, reports, and hearings
- Apply environmental standards, guidelines, and rules
- Inspect sites and look into possible violations
- Handle environmental permits and related documents
Skills that matter
- Sampling air, soil, and water for pollution
- Public briefings on environmental and health risks
- Review of permits against environmental rules
- Tracing pollution sources that affect public health
- Advice to agencies on standards and policy
- Site audits that check for violations
AI & the future of this role
Data analysis, literature review, and draft recommendations are areas where automation could take on more of the desk work. Field sampling, regulatory judgment, and explaining findings to communities and clients still tend to matter.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details