Median pay
$49,490
Median annual pay for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Science
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
10-year growth
4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings
5,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment
40,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost
+1,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation
Associate's degree
Typical education needed to enter Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Reading Comprehension
- 2Active Listening
- 3Speaking
- 4Writing
- 5Critical Thinking
- 6Monitoring
Knowledge areas
- 1Customer and Personal Service
- 2Chemistry
- 3English Language
- 4Biology
- 5Law and Government
- 6Computers and Electronics
Abilities
- 1Oral Comprehension
- 2Oral Expression
- 3Written Comprehension
- 4Deductive Reasoning
- 5Near Vision
- 6Written Expression
Career interests
- 1Realistic
- 2Investigative
- 3Conventional
- 4Social
- 5Enterprising
- 6Artistic
Work styles
- 1Attention to Detail
- 2Dependability
- 3Cautiousness
- 4Integrity
- 5Intellectual Curiosity
- 6Adaptability
Work activities
- 1Documenting/Recording Information
- 2Getting Information
- 3Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- 5Scheduling Work and Activities
- 6Working with Computers
Work context
- 1E-Mail
- 2Telephone Conversations
- 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- 4Time Pressure
- 5Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Representative tasks
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Software and tools
Microsoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyAutodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyESRI ArcGIS software · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyVisual OTTHYMO
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.