Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Summary

What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do About this section

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 monitor levels of pollution.

Environmental science and protection technicians held about 33,900 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:

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 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

The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $50,660 in May 2023. 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 $35,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,010.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for environmental science and protection technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

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

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.

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.

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.

• Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

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.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about environmental health technicians and related occupations, visit

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

For more information about training, visit

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

For more information specific to radon technicians, visit

National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

O*NET

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health