Environmental Scientist

Explore This Path

Protect the planet by tackling pollution and safeguarding public health.
Make a real impact by shaping environmental policies and standards.
Dive into diverse scientific fields to solve complex environmental challenges.

💰 Earn $76K-$126K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 24–48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 7.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Bachelor Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

2 to 4 years

Job Openings

8,500 Annually

Median Earnings

$95,890 in California

$78,980 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

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$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Mathematics
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

Deep Dive

Environmental Scientist

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years