Environmental Scientist
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
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.
Also called: Environmental Analyst · Environmental Health Specialist · Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist) · Environmental Programs Specialist · Environmental Protection Specialist · Environmental Scientist · Environmental Specialist · Hazardous Substances Scientist
O*NET-SOC 19-2041.00 (Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health)
Environmental Scientist salary
Wages for environmental scientists and specialists, including health across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $39.53.
Environmental Scientist pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $65,350 | $106,510 | $161,910 |
| Texas | $60,080 | $92,000 | $163,110 |
| Florida | $42,600 | $60,830 | $109,290 |
| New York | $58,240 | $82,160 | $139,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,660 | $76,110 | $125,520 |
| Illinois | $46,540 | $81,590 | $153,150 |
| Ohio | $50,610 | $78,540 | $109,490 |
| Georgia | $56,470 | $85,710 | $162,410 |
| North Carolina | $49,320 | $74,130 | $125,930 |
| Michigan | $52,300 | $76,080 | $111,770 |
Environmental Scientist job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 93,400 jobs in 2025 to 99,200 in 2035 (6% change).
- About 7,300 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Average.
How to become an environmental scientist
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Bachelor's degree63.6%
- Master's degree28.7%
- Doctoral or professional degree7.7%
Related training programs
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Geosciences
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Toxicology
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Marine Sciences
- Molecular Toxicology
- Sustainability Studies
- Toxicology
What does an environmental scientist do?
Common tasks
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- 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.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
Most important skills
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Environmental Scientist certifications
8 of 14 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association · Advanced
- Environment Management - Lead Auditor (ISO 14001-LA)TRECCERT · Core
- California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association · Advanced
- National Registry of Environmental Professionals · Core
- Environment Management - Practitioner (ISO 14001-P)TRECCERT · Core
- Quality Management - Lead Auditor (ISO 9001-LA)TRECCERT · Core
- World Safety Organization · Specialty
- National Registry of Certified Chemists · Core
See all 14certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Environmental Scientist jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more natural resources & parks jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Natural Resources & Parks jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Engineer
- Industrial Ecologists
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Conservation Scientists
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Hydrologic Technicians
More natural resources & parks careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.