### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			environmental science and protection technicians imageEnvironmental science and protection technicians must carry out a wide range of field tests.							
						Quick Facts:     Environmental Science and Protection Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$50,660     per year
										$24.35     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    35,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    2,000What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician
                                                
                        
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $50,660 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 3,800 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do 
            

			Environmental science and protection techniciansEnvironmental science and protection technicians use laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, to analyze samples collected in the field.			
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Duties
Environmental science and protection technicians typically do the following:
Inspect public spaces, businesses, facilities, and other areas to ensure that there are no environmental, health, or safety hazards
Set up and maintain equipment to monitor pollution levels, such as remote sensors that measure emissions from smokestacks
Collect samples of air, soil, water, and other materials for laboratory analysis
Label and track samples being transported to the laboratory to ensure the samples’ integrity
Use equipment, such as microscopes, to evaluate and analyze samples for the presence of contaminants
Prepare tables, charts, and reports to summarize test results
Discuss test results and analyses with clients
Verify compliance with regulations that help prevent pollutionEnvironmental science and protection technicians help monitor environmental quality and manage regulation compliance. Their tasks vary, depending on where they work. In government positions, they may enforce regulations by conducting inspections and investigating complaints of air quality, water quality, or food safety. In businesses, they may develop cleanup plans for contaminated sites and recommend ways to reduce, control, or eliminate pollution.
These technicians also may conduct feasibility or environmental impact studies related to proposed construction. Or they may evaluate areas of potential health risks from environmental contamination, such as abandoned industrial sites.
Environmental science and protection technicians may collect, track, and test samples in laboratory work similar to that of chemical technicians, biological technicians, and microbiologists. However, in contrast to those workers, environmental science and protection technicians focus on the relationship between the environment and human health.
Environmental science and protection technicians often work under the supervision of environmental scientists, who direct the technicians’ work and evaluate their results. In addition, technicians may collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians in other fields on projects related to environmental contamination and public health.
 Work Environment
			Environmental science and protection techniciansEnvironmental science and protection technicians monitor levels of pollution.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Environmental science and protection technicians held about 35,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:
        Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                23%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                21Testing laboratories
                15Engineering services
                9State government, excluding education and hospitals
                7Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Fieldwork may include visiting industrial sites or working outdoors. While working outdoors, technicians may be exposed to adverse weather conditions.
During fieldwork, environmental science and protection technicians may spend much of the time on their feet and may need to carry heavy equipment, both of which can be physically demanding. They may need to wear protective gear, such as hardhats or masks, to guard against hazards.
Work Schedules
Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.
 How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician

			Environmental science and protection techniciansEnvironmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary training.			
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree, although some positions may require a bachelor’s degree.
Education
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree in environmental science, environmental health, or public health, or a related field. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
A background in natural sciences—including classes in chemistry, biology, and physics—is important for environmental science and protection technicians. College students should take science courses that provide laboratory experience. Coursework in math, statistics, and computer science also is useful for data analysis and modeling.
Training
Technicians whose jobs involve handling hazardous waste typically need to complete training that meets Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The length of training may depend on the type of hazardous material that workers handle. The training covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states have specific requirements, such as a license or registration, for environmental science and protection technicians. Check with your state licensing agency for more information.
Employers may prefer that workers have or plan to obtain a regular driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL). OSHA certification, such as the HAZWOPER, also may be helpful.
These workers also may obtain optional certification to conduct certain types of environmental and health inspections. For example, certification for technicians who test buildings for radon is offered through the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential is offered through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Environmental science and protection technicians evaluate the results of laboratory and field tests that they carry out.
***Attention to detail.*** Environmental science and protection technicians must follow precise directions in collecting, tracking, and testing samples and in documenting results.
***Communication skills.*** Environmental science and protection technicians need good writing and speaking skills. They must be able to share the results of their work in reports and need to discuss results with colleagues, clients, and, sometimes, the public.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Environmental science and protection technicians often work with scientists and other technicians, so they need to collaborate with others as part of a team.******
***Problem-solving skills.*** Environmental science and protection technicians use sound reasoning and judgment to reach conclusions. They must determine the best way to address environmental hazards.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Environmental Science and Protection TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Life, physical, and social science technicians$53,700  Environmental science and protection technicians, including health$50,660  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $50,660 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,010.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for environmental science and protection technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $58,030Engineering services
                55,520State government, excluding education and hospitals
                54,080Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
                49,980Testing laboratories
                44,640Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Environmental Science and Protection TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Environmental science and protection technicians, including health6%  Life, physical, and social science technicians4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 3,800 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as fracking, and the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth should lead to more jobs for environmental science and protection technicians as businesses and governments rely on these workers to help monitor the environment and comply with regulations.
			

                        Employment projections data for     environmental science and protection technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Environmental science and protection technicians, including health**
			19-4042
			35,000
			37,100
			6
			2,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of environmental science and protection technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural and Food Science Technicians**
            Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists.
            Associate's degree
            $47,010**Biological Technicians**
            Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.
            Bachelor's degree
            $51,430**Chemical Technicians**
            Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.
            Associate's degree
            $56,750**Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Environmental engineering technologists and technicians implement the plans that environmental engineers develop.
            Associate's degree
            $54,000**Environmental Scientists and Specialists**
            Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $78,980**Forensic Science Technicians**
            Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,940**Geoscientists**
            Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth.
            Bachelor's degree
            $92,580**Hydrologists**
            Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust.
            Bachelor's degree
            $88,770**Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians**
            Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
            Bachelor's degree
            $60,780**Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians**
            Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures.
            See How to Become One
            $77,580
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about environmental health technicians and related occupations, visit
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
For more information about training, visit
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
For more information specific to radon technicians, visit
National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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