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Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Summary

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Quick Facts: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
2022 Median Pay $48,380 per year
$23.26 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2022 35,000
Job Outlook, 2022-32 6% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2022-32 2,000

What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do

Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.

Work Environment

Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician

Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.

Pay

The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $48,380 in May 2022.

Job Outlook

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 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.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do About this section

Environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental science and protection technicians use laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, to analyze samples collected in the field.

Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.

Duties

Environmental science and protection technicians typically do the following:

  • Inspect public spaces, businesses, facilities, and other areas to ensure that there are no environmental, health, or safety hazards
  • Set up and maintain equipment to monitor pollution levels, such as remote sensors that measure emissions from smokestacks
  • Collect samples of air, soil, water, and other materials for laboratory analysis
  • Label and track samples being transported to the laboratory to ensure the samples’ integrity
  • Use equipment, such as microscopes, to evaluate and analyze samples for the presence of contaminants
  • Prepare tables, charts, and reports to summarize test results
  • Discuss test results and analyses with clients
  • Verify compliance with regulations that help prevent pollution

Environmental science and protection technicians help monitor environmental quality and manage regulation compliance. Their tasks vary, depending on where they work. In government positions, they may enforce regulations by conducting inspections and investigating complaints of air quality, water quality, or food safety. In businesses, they may develop cleanup plans for contaminated sites and recommend ways to reduce, control, or eliminate pollution.

These technicians also may conduct feasibility or environmental impact studies related to proposed construction. Or they may evaluate areas of potential health risks from environmental contamination, such as abandoned industrial sites.

Environmental science and protection technicians may collect, track, and test samples in laboratory work similar to that of chemical technicians, biological technicians, and microbiologists. However, in contrast to those workers, environmental science and protection technicians focus on the relationship between the environment and human health.

Environmental science and protection technicians often work under the supervision of environmental scientists, who direct the technicians’ work and evaluate their results. In addition, technicians may collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians in other fields on projects related to environmental contamination and public health.

Work Environment About this section

Environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor levels of pollution.

Environmental science and protection technicians held about 35,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 23%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 21
Testing laboratories 15
Engineering services 9
State government, excluding education and hospitals 7

Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Fieldwork may include visiting industrial sites or working outdoors. While working outdoors, technicians may be exposed to adverse weather conditions.

During fieldwork, environmental science and protection technicians may spend much of the time on their feet and may need to carry heavy equipment, both of which can be physically demanding. They may need to wear protective gear, such as hardhats or masks, to guard against hazards.

Work Schedules

Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.

How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician About this section

Environmental science and protection technicians
Environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary training.

Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree, although some positions may require a bachelor’s degree.

Education

Environmental science and protection technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree in environmental science, environmental health, or public health, or a related field. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.

A background in natural sciences—including classes in chemistry, biology, and physics—is important for environmental science and protection technicians. College students should take science courses that provide laboratory experience. Coursework in math, statistics, and computer science also is useful for data analysis and modeling.

Training

Technicians whose jobs involve handling hazardous waste typically need to complete training that meets Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The length of training may depend on the type of hazardous material that workers handle. The training covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some states have specific requirements, such as a license or registration, for environmental science and protection technicians. Check with your state licensing agency for more information.

Employers may prefer that workers have or plan to obtain a regular driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL). OSHA certification, such as the HAZWOPER, also may be helpful.

These workers also may obtain optional certification to conduct certain types of environmental and health inspections. For example, certification for technicians who test buildings for radon is offered through the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).

The Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential is offered through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Environmental science and protection technicians evaluate the results of laboratory and field tests that they carry out.

Attention to detail. Environmental science and protection technicians must follow precise directions in collecting, tracking, and testing samples and in documenting results.

Communication skills. Environmental science and protection technicians need good writing and speaking skills. They must be able to share the results of their work in reports and need to discuss results with colleagues, clients, and, sometimes, the public.

Interpersonal skills. Environmental science and protection technicians often work with scientists and other technicians, so they need to collaborate with others as part of a team.

Problem-solving skills. Environmental science and protection technicians use sound reasoning and judgment to reach conclusions. They must determine the best way to address environmental hazards.

Pay About this section

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2022

Life, physical, and social science technicians

$49,790

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

$48,380

Total, all occupations

$46,310

 

The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $48,380 in May 2022. 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 $32,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,690.

In May 2022, the median annual wages for environmental science and protection technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals $58,710
State government, excluding education and hospitals 50,590
Engineering services 48,940
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 46,640
Testing laboratories 44,090

Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.

Job Outlook About this section

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2022-32

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

6%

Life, physical, and social science technicians

4%

Total, all occupations

3%

 

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 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.

Employment

Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as fracking, and the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth should lead to more jobs for environmental science and protection technicians as businesses and governments rely on these workers to help monitor the environment and comply with regulations.

Employment projections data for environmental science and protection technicians, 2022-32
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2022 Projected Employment, 2032 Change, 2022-32 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

19-4042 35,000 37,100 6 2,000 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(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

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 science and protection technicians.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2022 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Agricultural and food science technicians Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists.

Associate's degree $46,140
Biological technicians Biological Technicians

Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.

Bachelor's degree $49,650
Chemical technicians Chemical Technicians

Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.

Associate's degree $50,840
Environmental engineering technicians Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Environmental engineering technologists and technicians implement the plans that environmental engineers develop.

Associate's degree $50,980
Environmental scientists and specialists Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.

Bachelor's degree $76,480
Forensic science technicians Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.

Bachelor's degree $63,740
Geoscientists Geoscientists

Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.

Bachelor's degree $87,480
Hydrologists Hydrologists

Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.

Bachelor's degree $85,990
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Bachelor's degree $57,380
Occupational health and safety specialists 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 $75,240
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians.htm (visited February 23, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023

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).

2022 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 2022, the median annual wage for all workers was $46,310.

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, 2022

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2022, which is the base year of the 2022-32 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2022-32

The projected percent change in employment from 2022 to 2032. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.

Employment Change, 2022-32

The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.

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 2022-32

The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2022 to 2032.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2022 to 2032.

2022 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 2022, the median annual wage for all workers was $46,310.