Environmental Scientists and Specialists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Environmental Scientists and Specialists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Occupational Outlook Handbook
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
PRINTER-FRIENDLY
Summary
What They Do
Work Environment
How to Become One
Pay
Job Outlook
State & Area Data
Similar Occupations
More Info
Summary
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Quick Facts: Environmental Scientists and Specialists
2024 Median Pay
$80,060 per year
$38.49 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-job Training
None
Number of Jobs, 2024
90,300
Job Outlook, 2024–34
4% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2024–34
4,000
What Environmental Scientists and Specialists Do
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health.
Work Environment
Environmental scientists and specialists typically work in office settings and laboratories but may spend time in the field. Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time.
How to Become an Environmental Scientist or Specialist
To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in natural science or a related field.
Pay
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $80,060 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 8,500 openings for environmental scientists and specialists 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental scientists and specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental scientists and specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about environmental scientists and specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What Environmental Scientists and Specialists Do
About this section
Environmental scientists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment.
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. They may collect, study, and report on data of air, food, water and other sources and then recommend action.
Duties
Environmental scientists and specialists typically do the following:
Determine data collection methods for research, investigations, and surveys
Collect and compile environmental data samples for scientific analysis
Analyze samples, surveys, and other information to identify and assess sources of environmental pollutants or hazards
Develop plans to prevent, control, or address environmental problems
Provide information and guidance to government officials, businesses, and the general public on possible environmental hazards and health risks
Ensure that actions comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
Prepare reports and presentations to document research and findings
Environmental scientists and specialists identify and analyze existing or potential environmental problems, for which they then develop solutions to reduce or eliminate. For example, environmental scientists and specialists may work to reclaim lands and waters that have been contaminated by pollution. They also might assess the environmental risks a new construction project poses and recommend ways to minimize its impact.
Some environmental scientists and specialists focus on environmental regulations that are designed to protect people’s health, while others focus on regulations designed to minimize society’s impact on the ecosystem. Environmental scientists and specialists who work for federal, state, or local government ensure compliance with regulations involving natural resources. Those who work for consulting firms help businesses follow regulations.
The following are examples of types of environmental scientists and specialists:
Climate change analysts
study effects on ocean, forest, and other ecosystems caused by long-term shifts in weather patterns. These analysts may do outreach education activities and grant writing typical of scientists.
Environmental health and safety specialists
study how environmental factors affect human health. They investigate existing and potential environmental risks to well-being and educate the public about those risks.
Environmental restoration planners
assess polluted sites and determine the cost of and activities necessary for cleanup.
Industrial ecologists
work with organizations to increase the efficiency of their operations, with the goal of limiting an operation’s impact on the environment. They analyze costs and benefits of various programs and their impacts on ecosystems.
Other environmental scientists and specialists focus on issues related to their area of expertise. For example,
environmental chemists
study the effects that chemicals have on ecosystems.
Work Environment
About this section
Many environmental scientists and specialists work in laboratories.
Environmental scientists and specialists held about 90,300 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of environmental scientists and specialists were as follows:
State government, excluding education and hospitals
28%
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
19
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
13
Engineering services
10
Federal government, excluding postal service
Environmental scientists and specialists typically work in office settings and laboratories but may spend time in the field. Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require working in all types of weather. However, fieldwork is often done by
environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental scientists and specialists also may have to travel to meet with clients or present research at conferences.
Work Schedules
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may need to work additional hours or a nonstandard schedule, such as nights and weekends, when conducting fieldwork or completing projects.
How to Become an Environmental Scientist or Specialist
About this section
For most jobs, environmental scientists and specialists need at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field.
To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in a natural science.
Education
Environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's
degree
in environmental science or a related field. For example, students may major in
natural resources
biology
, or
physical science
. Coursework in these fields often includes chemistry, geology, and physics. Students may find that specialized courses, such as in hydrology, waste management, or environmental policy and regulation, also are beneficial.
Completing an internship or volunteering with an environmental science organization while in school may help students gain practical experience.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some employers prefer or require that candidates for environmental scientist and specialist positions have certification related to the work they will do.
Advancement
As environmental scientists and specialists gain experience, they may be given additional responsibilities. For example, they may supervise technicians or other scientists or be promoted to project leader, program manager, or some other management position.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP)
skills data page
Analytical skills.
Environmental scientists and specialists evaluate data to reach conclusions. They consider a range of methods and solutions in their analyses.
Communication skills.
Environmental scientists and specialists may need to present and explain their findings to varied audiences. They also may need to write technical reports.
Interpersonal skills.
Environmental scientists and specialists typically work on teams with other scientists, engineers, and technicians. They must be able to collaborate effectively to achieve their goals.
Problem-solving skills.
Environmental scientists and specialists try to resolve issues that impact the environment and people's health.
Self-
motivation.
Environmental scientists and specialists may become frustrated, such as when facing failed test results. They should not become discouraged and must remain motivated.
Pay
About this section
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Median annual wages, May 2024
Physical scientists
$92,750
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060
Total, all occupations
$49,500
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $80,060 in May 2024.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $134,830.
In May 2024, the median annual wages for environmental scientists and specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service
$113,980
Engineering services
77,960
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
77,420
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
77,390
State government, excluding education and hospitals
76,840
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may need to work additional hours or a nonstandard schedule, such as nights and weekends, when conducting fieldwork or completing projects.
Job Outlook
About this section
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Percent change in employment, projected 2024–34
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
4%
Physical scientists
4%
Total, all occupations
3%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 8,500 openings for environmental scientists and specialists 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.
Employment
Public interest in hazards facing the environment is projected to create demand for environmental scientists and specialists. These workers are expected to continue to be needed to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions that ensure communities’ health.
Businesses are expected to continue consulting with environmental scientists and specialists to help reduce the impact of their operations on the environment. For example, environmental consultants help businesses to develop practices that minimize waste, prevent pollution, and conserve resources. Other environmental scientists and specialists will be needed to help planners develop and construct buildings, utilities, and transportation systems that protect natural resources and limit damage to the land.
Employment projections data for environmental scientists and specialists, 2024–34
Occupational Title
SOC Code
Employment, 2024
Projected Employment, 2034
Change, 2024–34
Employment by Industry
Percent
Numeric
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
19-2041
90,300
94,300
4,000
Get data
State & Area Data
About this section
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
The
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
(OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles
Projections Central
Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at
www.projectionscentral.org
. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of
occupational profiles
with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a
salary info tool
to search for wages by zip code.
Similar Occupations
About this section
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of environmental scientists and specialists.
Occupation
Job Duties
ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
2024 MEDIAN PAY
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes.
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,650
Chemists and Materials Scientists
Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products, or knowledge.
Bachelor's degree
$86,620
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
Bachelor's degree
$69,060
Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health.
Bachelor's degree
$104,170
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Associate's degree
$49,490
Geoscientists
Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
Bachelor's degree
$99,240
Hydrologists
Hydrologists study water and how it moves across and through the Earth’s crust.
Bachelor's degree
$92,060
Microbiologists
Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.
Bachelor's degree
$87,330
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures.
See How to Become One
$78,900
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals, those both in captivity and in the wild, and how they interact with their ecosystems.
Bachelor's degree
$72,860
Contacts for More Information
About this section
O*NET
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Environmental Restoration Planners
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Industrial Ecologists
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook
, Environmental Scientists and Specialists,
at
(visited
April 22, 2026
).
Last Modified Date:
Thursday, August 28, 2025
What They Do
The
What They Do
tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.
Work Environment
The
Work Environment
tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
How to Become One
The
How to Become One
tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.
Pay
The
Pay
tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.
State & Area Data
The
State and Area Data
tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
Job Outlook
The
Job Outlook
tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.
Similar Occupations
The
Similar Occupations
tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.
Contacts for More Information
The
More Information
tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
2024 Median Pay
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2024, the median annual wage for all workers was $49,500.
On-the-job Training
Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
Entry-level Education
Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
Work experience in a related occupation
Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.
Number of Jobs, 2024
The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2024, which is the base year of the 2024–34 employment projections.
Job Outlook, 2024-34
The projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.
Employment Change, 2024-34
The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.
Entry-level Education
Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
On-the-job Training
Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
Employment Change, projected 2024-34
The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.
Growth Rate (Projected)
The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2024 to 2034.
Projected Number of New Jobs
The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.
Projected Growth Rate
The projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034.
2024 Median Pay
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2024, the median annual wage for all workers was $49,500.
Publications
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Life, Physical, and Social Science