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Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Other titles employers use
Environmental Health Officer (EHO) · Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech) · Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist) · Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) · Public Health Sanitarian · Sanitarian · Sanitarian Specialist · Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Science
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Biology
- Law and Government
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.0 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 68%
- A two-year degree 23%
- High school or less 5%
- A certificate or some college 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Geographic information system
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Document management software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,800
- Job openings each year
- 620
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,800 | 620 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 3,220 | 360 | 24.8% |
| Florida | 2,790 | 300 | 13.0% |
| New York | 2,460 | 30 | 15.0% |
| Washington | 1,730 | 220 | 18.5% |
| Georgia | 1,380 | 150 | 15.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,370 | 140 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 1,160 | 130 | 16.0% |
| Virginia | 1,070 | 110 | 4.9% |
| Colorado | 1,060 | 120 | 19.1% |
| New Jersey | 1,000 | 100 | 6.4% |
| Ohio | 1,000 | 100 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 980 | 100 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 940 | 100 | 6.8% |
| Maryland | 830 | 90 | 10.7% |
| Indiana | 810 | 90 | 9.5% |
| West Virginia | 760 | 80 | 10.1% |
| Minnesota | 600 | 60 | 7.1% |
| Tennessee | 490 | 50 | 11.4% |
| Arizona | 470 | 50 | 11.9% |
| Wisconsin | 450 | 50 | 12.5% |
| Idaho | 430 | 50 | 19.4% |
| South Carolina | 400 | 40 | 8.1% |
| Missouri | 390 | 40 | 11.4% |
| New Mexico | 380 | 40 | 15.2% |
| Iowa | 370 | 40 | 8.8% |
| Oregon | 350 | 40 | 12.9% |
| Nevada | 330 | 40 | 10.0% |
| Oklahoma | 330 | 40 | 10.0% |
| Massachusetts | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| District of Columbia | 310 | 30 | 10.7% |
| Alabama | 300 | 30 | 3.4% |
| Kansas | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| Louisiana | 260 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Utah | 260 | 30 | 30.0% |
| Alaska | 250 | 30 | 8.7% |
| Kentucky | 240 | 30 | 4.3% |
| New Hampshire | 210 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Nebraska | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Arkansas | 150 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Wyoming | 140 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Connecticut | 130 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Delaware | 90 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| South Dakota | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Maine | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Montana | 40 | 0 | — |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Mississippi | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 593
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 514
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 504
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 394
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 362
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 350
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 350
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 349
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Compare every college offering environmental control technologies/technicians