United States Department of Labor
Only 2 more years until we hit the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! The first Earth Day occurred on April 22, 1970. Here at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we track jobs, including jobs that take care of our planet. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides career information for hundreds of occupations. The Handbook has been around for almost 70 years; the first paperback edition in 1949 cost $1.75!
In honor of Earth Day, here are six earth-friendly career paths to consider:
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
What they do: Monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
- 2017 median pay: $45,490 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Associate’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 32,840
- Projected growth 2016–26: 12% (Faster than average)
Conservation Scientists and Foresters
What they do: Manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
- 2017 median pay: $60,970 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 30,340
- Projected growth 2016–26: 6% (As fast as average)
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
What they do: Study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems and the impact humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.
- 2017 median pay: $62,290 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 17,710
- Projected growth 2016–26: 8% (As fast as average)
What they do: Use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.
- 2017 median pay: $86,800 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 52,640
- Projected growth 2016–26: 8% (As fast as average)
What they do: Study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites to understand how these organisms live, grow, and interact with their environments.
- 2017 median pay: $69,960 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 21,870
- Projected growth 2016–26: 8% (As fast as average)
What they do: Develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
- 2017 median pay: $71,490 per year
- Typical entry-level education: Master’s degree
- Number of jobs in 2017: 35,310
- Projected growth 2016–26: 13% (Faster than average)
You can explore hundreds of occupations using our Occupational Outlook Handbook. For a larger list of new and emerging earth-friendly or “green” jobs, visit the Department of Labor’s O*Net Resource Center.