Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. They may collect, study, and report on data of air, food, water and other sources and then recommend action.

Duties

Environmental scientists and specialists typically do the following:

• Determine data collection methods for research, investigations, and surveys
• Collect and compile environmental data samples for scientific analysis
• Analyze samples, surveys, and other information to identify and assess sources of environmental pollutants or hazards
• Develop plans to prevent, control, or address environmental problems
• Provide information and guidance to government officials, businesses, and the general public on possible environmental hazards and health risks
• Ensure that actions comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
• Prepare reports and presentations to document research and findings

Environmental scientists and specialists identify and analyze existing or potential environmental problems, for which they then develop solutions to reduce or eliminate. For example, environmental scientists and specialists may work to reclaim lands and waters that have been contaminated by pollution. They also might assess the environmental risks a new construction project poses and recommend ways to minimize its impact.

Some environmental scientists and specialists focus on environmental regulations that are designed to protect people’s health, while others focus on regulations designed to minimize society’s impact on the ecosystem. Environmental scientists and specialists who work for federal, state, or local government ensure compliance with regulations involving natural resources. Those who work for consulting firms help businesses follow regulations.

The following are examples of types of environmental scientists and specialists:

Climate change analysts study effects on ocean, forest, and other ecosystems caused by long-term shifts in weather patterns. These analysts may do outreach education activities and grant writing typical of scientists.

Environmental health and safety specialists study how environmental factors affect human health. They investigate existing and potential environmental risks to well-being and educate the public about those risks.

Environmental restoration planners assess polluted sites and determine the cost of and activities necessary for cleanup.

Industrial ecologists work with organizations to increase the efficiency of their operations, with the goal of limiting an operation’s impact on the environment. They analyze costs and benefits of various programs and their impacts on ecosystems.

Other environmental scientists and specialists focus on issues related to their area of expertise. For example, environmental chemists study the effects that chemicals have on ecosystems.

Environmental scientists and specialists held about 90,300 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of environmental scientists and specialists were as follows:

Environmental scientists and specialists typically work in office settings and laboratories but may spend time in the field. Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require working in all types of weather. However, fieldwork is often done by environmental science and protection technicians.

Environmental scientists and specialists also may have to travel to meet with clients or present research at conferences.

Work Schedules

Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may need to work additional hours or a nonstandard schedule, such as nights and weekends, when conducting fieldwork or completing projects.

To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in natural science or a related field.

The median annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists was $80,060 in May 2024.

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

About 8,500 openings for environmental scientists and specialists 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.