Alice Ramey

Alice Ramey is an 

economist in the 

Office of Occupational Statistics 

and Employment 

Projections, BLS. 

She is available at

(202) 691–5708 or 

ramey.alice@bls.

gov.

I

t’s hard to avoid the word “green” these days. 

From policies to programs, it seems that green is 

cool—and red hot.

Green is often used as a synonym for 

environmental or ecological, especially as it relates 

to products and activities aimed at minimizing 

damage to our planet. Scientists and engineers 

have long had important roles in the environmental 

movement. Their expertise is focused on a variety 

of issues, including increasing energy efficiency, 

improving air and water quality, and sustaining 

natural resources. And, with interest in such projects 

growing, there should be additional opportunities for 

these scientists and engineers in the future.

Going “green”:

Environmental jobs for 

scientists and 

engineers

 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2009
and sciences, including biology, chemistry, 

geography, and statistics. In addition, good 

communications skills are essential for writing reports and sharing project results with 

employers, colleagues, or the public. 

These workers gather and analyze information to create solutions to the problems 

they study. Conservation scientists usually 

work independently, but environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists are often part of a team. 

Conservation scientists

Conservation scientists develop strategies 

to help manage, improve, and protect the 

Earth’s resources. To devise these protective strategies, conservation scientists often 

collect samples of soil, water, and plants, as 

well as record data on plant and animal life. 

After they have analyzed the samples and 

data, these workers create a conservation plan. 

Their plan offers strategies for optimizing 

resources while minimizing damage to the 

surrounding environment.

Some discussions of these occupations 

classify workers by environmental issue, 

such as air quality, solid waste management, 

or land conservation. Others group them 

by project category, such as environmental 

protection, environmental health and safety, 

and natural resources management. This 

article uses the latter method to describe the 

job duties, employment, outlook, wages, and 

training requirements for conservation scientists, environmental engineers, environmental 

scientists, and hydrologists. Suggestions for 

finding more information on these topics 

begin on page 9.

Science and engineering 

go green

Conservation scientists, environmental 

scientists, environmental engineers, and 

hydrologists are among the workers who 

apply their specialized knowledge to a variety of environmental issues. This specialized 

knowledge comes from college study in math 

Summer 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 
 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2009

There are several types of conservation 

scientists, and they often have different job 

titles. One of the most common types is range 

manager. These workers study and care for 

rangelands—the open expanses of land located primarily in the Western States and Alaska 

that contain natural resources, such as wildlife 

habitats, watersheds, and mineral and energy 

sources. The overall goal of range managers is 

to safeguard long-term sustainability of these 

resources, thereby ensuring a future source of 

grazing land, clean water, and wildlife.

The specific duties of range managers 

vary. These duties might include developing 

plans to manage natural resources, conducting 

studies to determine an activity’s impact on an 

area, assisting in managing ranches, or restoring damaged ecosystems.

Another type of conservation scientist is 

soil and water conservationist. These workers study soil and water conditions and offer 

advice about maintaining or improving the 

quality of these and related resources. Soil 

conservationists help identify causes of soil 

erosion and develop plans to correct them. 

The work of water conservationists is similar 

to that of hydrologists, whose description 

begins on page 8.

Job market and wages. Conservation scientists held about 15,800 jobs in May 2008, 

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Federal, State, and local governments employed nearly 75 percent of these 

workers. Other conservation scientists are 

employed by social advocacy groups, including nonprofit organizations, and by consulting 

firms. A small portion is self-employed.

Soil and water conservation scientists 

work throughout the United States, particularly in counties that need help managing their 

wetlands and other conservation areas. In 

contrast, range managers work almost entirely 

Range managers, a type 

of conservation scientists, 

care for open lands that 

contain natural resources.
Summer 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 

in Alaska and the Western States, where most 

of the Nation’s rangelands are located.

In projecting employment, BLS classifies 

conservation scientists with foresters. This 

combined occupational group is expected to 

have employment growth that is slower than 

the average for all occupations between 2006 

and 2016, largely due to expected job losses 

for foresters in the timber industry and to budgetary restraints at all levels of government. 

However, these factors will be offset by others 

that are expected to create opportunities for 

conservation scientists. 

The best opportunities should be in 

consulting services, as both governments and 

businesses increasingly rely on consultants 

for conservation work. Consulting firms 

are expected to hire additional conservation 

scientists in response to a growing demand for 

professionals to prepare environmental impact 

statements.

Workers will also be needed to develop 

erosion and sediment control plans and to 

monitor water quality. And States are expected to employ conservation scientists to design 

ways to prevent water from being polluted by 

agricultural producers and industrial plants. 

The mean annual wages of conservation 

scientists in May 2008 were $60,170, according to BLS. Mean wages were $69,090 for 

conservation scientists in the Federal Government and $51,520 in local government. (BLS 

does not have wage data for these workers in 

State government.) Those employed by social 

advocacy groups had mean wages of $54,540; 

those employed in management, scientific, 

and technical consulting services had mean 

wages of $55,320.

Preparation. The most significant source 

of education for conservation scientists is a 

bachelor’s degree in fields such as ecology, 

natural resource management, agriculture, 

or environmental science. Range managers 

usually have a degree in range management 

or range science. Few schools offer degrees 

specifically in soil or water conservation. 

Nine colleges and universities offer 

degree programs in range management that 

are accredited by the Society for Range 

Management. However, many other colleges and universities offer courses in range 

management and related disciplines. Courses 

in range management include subjects such as 

plant, animal, and soil sciences. 

Some range managers acquire additional 

credentials through the Society for Range 

Management’s professional certification programs. Certification is optional, but demonstrates that recipients have met the high standards required for completion of a program.

Environmental engineers

Environmental engineers develop methods, 

systems, and products to prevent or repair environmental harm. In compliance with numerous laws and regulations, these workers use 

principles of science and engineering to solve 

a variety of environmental problems.

Environmental engineers may specialize 

in the types of problems they solve. Some 

assess the likely impact of different projects 

on air and water quality, animal habitats, 

and other aspects of the natural and human 

environment and then devise ways to avoid or 

minimize harm. Others study watersheds and 

other natural water systems and develop processes, policies, and machinery for maintaining and supplying clean water to the public. 

Still others develop wastewater treatment or 

other systems to control or reduce problems 

associated with disposal of pollutants.

These areas of specialization shape their 

job tasks. For example, environmental engineers who study the environmental impact of 

a proposed construction project analyze data 

and assess the extent of possible harm to the 

environment. As a result of their evaluation, 

they may recommend that the construction 

plans be altered to minimize potential harm. 

Job market and wages. Environmental 

engineers held about 52,590 jobs in May 

2008, according to BLS. About 30 percent 

worked for Federal, State, or local governments. An additional 30 percent worked for 

engineering services firms. The remaining 

environmental engineers were employed 

by management, scientific, and technical 

consulting services; scientific research and 
 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2009

development services; and remediation and 

other waste management services. 

BLS projects that employment of environmental engineers will grow at a rate that 

is much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Increased 

demand for these engineers will result from 

a need to comply with environmental laws 

and regulations and to develop methods for 

cleanup of existing hazards. In addition, these 

workers will be needed to help devise ways to 

prevent future harm to both the environment 

and public health—such as by developing safe 

methods for transporting and disposing of 

toxic waste.

In May 2008, according to BLS, mean 

annual wages of environmental engineers 

were $77,970. Environmental engineers who 

worked for the Federal 

Government had mean 

wages of $92,750. State 

government workers had 

mean wages of $65,320, 

and local government 

workers had mean wages 

of $66,510. Workers 

employed by engineering 

services firms had mean 

annual wages of $80,450.

Preparation. The 

most significant source of 

education for environmental engineers is a master’s 

degree in engineering, although some opportunities 

exist for workers whose 

highest level of education 

is a bachelor’s degree. In 

March 2008, there were 

more than 60 colleges and 

universities with environmental engineering programs approved by the 

Accreditation Board for 

Engineering and Technology. 

All States regulate the 

practice of engineering 

through licensure. This professional licensure usually requires 4 years of 

work experience and successful completion of 

an examination. Recent graduates, however, 

can start the licensing process by taking the 

examination in two stages. In several States, 

engineers must meet continuing education 

requirements to remain licensed. For environmental engineers, optional certification 

offered by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers allows them to demonstrate 

that they have met specified standards established by the academy.

Environmental scientists

Environmental scientists conduct research 

to help identify and lessen environmental 

hazards that affect both humans and wildlife. 

Environmental engineers 

use principles of science 

and engineering to solve 

a variety of environmental 

problems.
Summer 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 

This research involves collecting and analyzing samples of air, food, water, and soil to 

determine the state of the environment. 

Using their skills and training, these 

scientists attempt to solve problems ranging 

from reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to 

preventing the loss of habitats to monitoring 

waste disposal. After environmental scientists 

identify a problem, they come up with ways to 

reduce or eliminate its negative effects.

Environmental scientists work with 

people at all levels of government to develop 

regulations and monitor compliance with 

environmental laws and regulations. Those 

who work on policy formation might help to 

identify ways of changing human behavior to 

avoid future problems, such as groundwater 

contamination or ozone depletion.

Some environmental scientists work for 

consulting firms that help businesses and government agencies comply with environmental 

laws and regulations, especially in efforts 

related to groundwater decontamination and 

flood control. Some of these workers write 

risk assessments, for example, to explain the 

likely environmental effects of construction 

and other projects.

Job market and earnings. In May 2008, 

according to BLS, environmental scientists 

and specialists, including health, held about 

80,100 jobs. About 45 percent of environmental scientists worked for Federal, State, and 

local governments. A significant portion of the 

remaining scientists were dispersed among 

management, scientific, and technical consulting services and architectural, engineering, 

and related services. Other environmental 

scientists were self-employed. 

Employment is projected to grow much 

faster than average for environmental scientists, according to BLS. Job growth will be 

driven by the desire to offset environmental 

Many degree programs for 

environmental scientists 

offer an interdisciplinary 

approach to natural 

science.
 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2009

damage caused by an increase in population. 

Demand for environmental scientists will also 

result from the need to comply with complex 

environmental laws and regulations. 

BLS data show that in May 2008, the 

mean annual wages for environmental 

scientists were $65,280. Mean wages were 

$58,040 for these scientists in local government; $70,450 in management, scientific, and 

technical consulting services; and $63,990 

in engineering services. (No BLS wage data 

are available for environmental scientists in 

Federal and State government.)

Preparation. The most significant source 

of education for entry-level environmental 

scientist positions is a master’s degree. 

However, some entry-level positions exist for 

workers whose highest level of education is a 

bachelor’s degree. 

Environmental scientists usually have a 

degree in environmental science, life science, 

chemistry, geology, geophysics, or atmospheric science. Many of these degree programs 

offer an interdisciplinary approach to natural 

science. Undergraduates also study pollution 

abatement, ecosystems protection and restoration, hydrology, hazardous-waste management, and environmental legislation. Those interested in doing consulting work may benefit 

from taking business and marketing classes.

Hydrologists

Hydrologists find ways to optimize our use of 

water, protect it from contamination, and improve water sources that have been damaged 

or polluted. Their work helps ensure easy access to safe water for households, businesses, 

crop irrigation, power generation, and more.

Hydrologists study the quality, quantity, 

location, and movement of water. They follow water as it travels through rivers, estuaries, and streams; as it seeps into the ground; 

and as it evaporates into the atmosphere and 

returns to Earth as precipitation. Hydrologists 

typically split their time between the office 

and the outdoors, frequently traveling to field 

sites and working in all types of weather, 

climates, and terrain.

Through observation 

and data collection, 

hydrologists study 

water conditions in a 

particular area. 
Summer 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 

Through observation and data collection in the field, hydrologists learn about the 

water in a particular area. These data are used 

to summarize water conditions and to devise 

models that simulate these conditions. These 

models, which can be manipulated to replicate 

different scenarios, have a variety of applications. For example, models help hydrologists 

to predict possible floods and droughts, offer 

design advice for bridges and dams, map 

efficient allocations of water, and provide 

guidance on policies for preventing water 

contamination. 

Job market and wages. Hydrologists held 

about 7,600 jobs in May 2008, according to 

BLS. Federal, State, and local governments 

employed about half of these workers. Architectural, engineering, and related services 

employed about 25 percent of these workers. 

Other hydrologists worked for management, 

scientific, and technical consulting services 

firms or were self-employed. 

BLS projects that employment of hydrologists will grow faster than the average 

for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. 

Demand for hydrologists should be strong 

as a growing human population increasingly 

builds and resides in environmentally sensitive locations. As people continue migrating 

toward coastal regions, for example, hydrologists will be needed to mitigate the effects 

of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, 

and hurricanes. Hydrologists also will be 

needed to study hazardous-waste sites and to 

determine the effects of pollutants on soil and 

groundwater so engineers can design remediation systems. 

Increased government regulations—such 

as those for managing storm water, and on 

issues related to water conservation, deteriorating coastal environments, and rising sea 

levels—also will spur employment growth for 

hydrologists. 

 In May 2008, according to BLS, hydrologists had mean annual wages of $73,540. 

Those in architectural, engineering, and 

related services had mean wages of $75,830; 

workers in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of 

$74,760. Hydrologists employed by the Federal Government had mean wages of $78,470. 

(BLS does not have wage data for hydrologists in State and local government.)

Preparation. The most significant source 

of education for hydrologists is a master’s 

degree. A bachelor’s degree in hydrologic 

science is sometimes enough to qualify for 

consulting jobs related to water quality or 

waste water treatment. 

The American Institute of Hydrology 

offers optional certification in professional 

hydrology, which may benefit hydrologists 

seeking advancement.

For more information

If you’re considering a green career with a 

science or engineering focus, you have options in addition to the occupations profiled 

here. Botanists, chemists, geoscientists, agricultural engineers, geological engineers, and 

science and engineering technicians are some 

examples of occupations that may include 

work with an environmental focus. 

But work in an environmental career isn’t 

limited to science and engineering. Environmental jobs include many types of workers in 

a variety of occupations. Curators in a nature 

center, for example, educate visitors about a 

particular ecosystem. Lawyers might specialize in environmental issues but also work 

on other kinds of cases. And construction 

laborers’ projects might include retrofitting a 

building for energy efficiency—and working 

on traditional buildings, too. Visit your local 

library and search online to find resources 

related to environmental careers. 

For information about specific occupations, see the BLS Occupational Outlook 

Handbook. In addition to the occupations in 

this article, Handbook data and descriptive 

information are available for other occupations that occasionally involve green work. 

The Handbook describes the job duties, 

working conditions, wages, usual training, 

outlook, and more for occupations ranging 

from landscape architects to urban planners. 
10 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2009
Summer 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 11

Find the Handbook in libraries, career centers, 

and online at www.bls.gov/ooh.

Another BLS resource is the Career 

Guide to Industries, which provides occupational information from an industry perspective. The Career Guide is online at www.bls.

gov/oco/cg.

The BLS Occupational Employment 

Statistics (OES) program also provides 

details, such as industry concentration and 

wage information, on the data it collects. For 

example, for charts showing employment by 

industry of some environmental occupations, 

see the data highlight on the OES Web site at 

www.bls.gov/oes/highlight_environment.

htm.

The Occupational Outlook Quarterly

covers a range of topics, some of which describe occupations with a green focus. Recent 

articles include “You’re a what? Limnologist,” 

from the winter 2008–09 issue and online at 

www.bls.gov/ooq/2008/winter/yawhat.pdf, 

and “On the grid: Careers in energy,” from the 

fall 2008 issue and online at www.bls.gov/

ooq/2008/fall/art02.pdf.

Get general information about environmental careers from the Green Careers Center, 

formerly the Environmental Career Center. 

Its employment resources include information about training and degree programs, 

workshops, and environmental associations. 

Contact the career center at:

Green Careers Center

2 Eaton St., Suite 711

Hampton, VA 23669

Toll-free: 1 (800) 745–0639

(757) 727–7895

eccinfo@environmentalcareer.com

www.environmentalcareer.com

For online listings of green jobs, searchable by sector (such as climate change or renewable energy), city, or State, visit the Green 

Jobs Network at www.greenjobs.net.

To learn more about the occupations featured in this article, contact the professional 

association of the ones that interest you.

For information about conservation 

scientists, contact:

Society for Range Management

10030 W. 27th Ave.

Wheat Ridge, CO 80215

(303) 986–3309

srmweb@rangelands.org

www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml

For information about environmental 

scientists, contact:

American Geological Institute

4220 King St.

Alexandria, VA 22302

(703) 379–2480

www.agiweb.org

For information about environmental 

engineers, contact:

American Academy of 

Environmental Engineers

130 Holiday Ct., Suite 100

Annapolis, MD 21401

(410) 266–3311

info@aaee.net

www.aaee.net

For information about hydrologists, 

contact:

American Institute of Hydrology

Engineering D—Mail Code 6603

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

1230 Lincoln Dr.

Carbondale, IL 62901

(618) 453–7809

www.aihydrology.org