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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
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.
Other titles employers use
Environmental Analyst · Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist) · Environmental Health Specialist · Environmental Programs Specialist · Environmental Protection Specialist · Environmental Scientist · Environmental Specialist · Hazardous Substances Scientist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- 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
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
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 | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 1.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 48%
- A master's degree 26%
- High school or less 21%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Geographic information system
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Document management software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Spreadsheet 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
- 13,400
- Job openings each year
- 1,090
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13,400 | 1,090 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 5,360 | 440 | 9.6% |
| New York | 5,000 | 70 | 16.3% |
| Texas | 4,620 | 410 | 21.3% |
| Washington | 4,560 | 510 | 27.4% |
| North Carolina | 4,330 | 370 | 13.9% |
| Colorado | 3,600 | 320 | 21.6% |
| New Jersey | 3,570 | 290 | 5.6% |
| Virginia | 3,540 | 290 | 8.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,050 | 250 | 5.9% |
| Michigan | 2,750 | 220 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 2,590 | 220 | 11.6% |
| Ohio | 2,530 | 200 | 4.5% |
| District of Columbia | 2,050 | 160 | 3.0% |
| Minnesota | 1,890 | 150 | 7.4% |
| Illinois | 1,550 | 130 | 6.2% |
| Wisconsin | 1,450 | 120 | 15.1% |
| Arizona | 1,420 | 120 | 11.8% |
| Oregon | 1,360 | 120 | 16.2% |
| Tennessee | 1,320 | 110 | 16.8% |
| Georgia | 1,310 | 110 | 12.0% |
| New Mexico | 1,280 | 110 | 11.3% |
| Kentucky | 1,130 | 90 | 4.6% |
| Louisiana | 1,030 | 80 | 7.3% |
| Massachusetts | 950 | 80 | 9.2% |
| Indiana | 940 | 80 | 13.3% |
| Utah | 870 | 80 | 22.5% |
| Alabama | 850 | 70 | 4.9% |
| Connecticut | 820 | 70 | 10.8% |
| Nevada | 800 | 70 | 12.7% |
| Alaska | 730 | 60 | 14.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 720 | 60 | 10.8% |
| Iowa | 690 | 60 | 7.8% |
| South Carolina | 690 | 60 | 13.1% |
| Idaho | 610 | 50 | 13.0% |
| New Hampshire | 580 | 50 | 9.4% |
| Kansas | 520 | 40 | 6.1% |
| Oklahoma | 520 | 40 | 10.6% |
| Wyoming | 510 | 40 | 10.9% |
| Missouri | 480 | 40 | 11.6% |
| Montana | 480 | 40 | 17.1% |
| Maine | 470 | 40 | 4.4% |
| Nebraska | 440 | 40 | 4.8% |
| Vermont | 430 | 40 | 13.2% |
| Delaware | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Rhode Island | 300 | 30 | 7.1% |
| West Virginia | 300 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Mississippi | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| Arkansas | 260 | 20 | 18.2% |
| North Dakota | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| South Dakota | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| Guam | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Virgin Islands | 100 | 10 | −9.1% |
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
- 795
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 697
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 514
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 659
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 603
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 638
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Degrees each year
- 490
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 367
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000