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For Educators: Military Resources

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Median Salary
50,660
Job Outlook
+7%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What is the job outlook?

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,100 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$22,680

10%

$50,660

Median

$76,350

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    68%

  • Associate's degree

    22%

  • High school

    4%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Environmental Science
  • Geography and Environmental Studies
  • Environmental/Environmental Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician
  • Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician
  • Environmental Geosciences
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other

Skills and Interest

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.