What Does it Take to Be an Environmental Scientist or Specialist?

Job Description: Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. 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.

What do Environmental Scientists and Specialists do On a Daily Basis?

• Develop programs designed to obtain the most productive, non-damaging use of land.
• Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• Develop methods to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment, based on the study and assessment of industrial production, environmental legislation, and physical, biological, and social environments.
• Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
• Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
• Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.

Environmental Scientist or Specialist Needed Skills

Environmental Scientists and Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Environmental Scientist or Specialist Jobs

• Environmental Services Director
• Environmental Programs Specialist
• Senior Environmental Scientist
• Regulatory Analyst
• Ecological Modeler

Environmental Scientist or Specialist Employment Estimates

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 89,500 jobs in the United States for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,900 new jobs for Environmental Scientists and Specialists by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,500 positions for Environmental Scientist or Specialist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health are California, New York, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Environmental Scientist or Specialist Average Salary

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Make between $42,520 and $124,620 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $71,130.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$115,190
Colorado	$93,010
California	$91,890
New Mexico	$87,200
Virginia	$85,550
Washington	$85,090
Connecticut	$83,220
Massachusetts	$82,580
Rhode Island	$82,160
Texas	$80,880
New Jersey	$80,350
Alaska	$80,220
New York	$79,340
Illinois	$78,640
Oregon	$77,980
Maryland	$77,300
Kansas	$76,780
New Hampshire	$75,520
Minnesota	$74,880
Ohio	$74,750
Pennsylvania	$74,430
Iowa	$74,140
Georgia	$72,860
North Dakota	$72,860
Tennessee	$72,470
Arizona	$72,150
Hawaii	$69,780
Michigan	$69,430
Wyoming	$68,940
Montana	$68,660
Louisiana	$68,570
Utah	$68,480
Alabama	$67,630
Maine	$67,390
Vermont	$66,440
Oklahoma	$65,490
North Carolina	$64,850
Nevada	$63,920
Indiana	$62,590
South Dakota	$61,250
Wisconsin	$61,030
Nebraska	$61,020
Idaho	$60,470
Delaware	$59,890
Florida	$58,790
Arkansas	$58,540
West Virginia	$56,380
Missouri	$53,820
Kentucky	$51,740

What Tools do Environmental Scientists and Specialists Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Environmental Scientists and Specialists may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Word
• SAP
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Visual Basic
• Bentley MicroStation
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Structured query language SQL

How do I Become an Environmental Scientist or Specialist?

Are there Environmental Scientist or Specialist education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Environmental Scientists and Specialists Are Employed

Related Careers

Those interested in being an Environmental Scientist or Specialist may also be interested in:

• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Chemists
• Microbiologists

Those who work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Biologists
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons