Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

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 pollution

Environmental 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.

Environmental science and protection technicians held about 40,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:

Environmental 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.

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.

The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $49,490 in May 2024.

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 5,600 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.