Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health: Career Overview
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
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What Tasks Do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of environmental science and protection technicians, including health cover:
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Need to Know
Effective environmental science and protection technicians, including health draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Air Analyst
- Air Pollution Auditor
- Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech)
- Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician)
- Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech)
- Asbestos Microscopist
- Biological Lab Tech (Biological Laboratory Technician)
- Biotechnician
How Many Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Are There?
The U.S. employs around 153,621 environmental science and protection technicians, including health working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +3.9% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $41,550 |
| Hourly median | $19.98 |
| 10th percentile | $26,297 |
| 25th percentile | $33,924 |
| 75th percentile | $49,177 |
| 90th percentile | $56,803 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $78,270 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Nebraska | $67,720 |
| Connecticut | $64,370 |
| Nevada | $63,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,060 |
| New York | $59,380 |
| Iowa | $58,730 |
| Minnesota | $58,200 |
| New Mexico | $57,930 |
| Hawaii | $56,490 |
| Tennessee | $55,940 |
| Mississippi | $55,690 |
| North Dakota | $55,310 |
| Georgia | $54,180 |
| Utah | $54,060 |
| Massachusetts | $54,000 |
| Maryland | $53,730 |
| Oregon | $53,350 |
| West Virginia | $52,690 |
| New Hampshire | $52,610 |
| Missouri | $52,140 |
| Michigan | $51,580 |
| Arizona | $51,210 |
| Wyoming | $51,140 |
| Ohio | $50,400 |
| Idaho | $50,340 |
| Montana | $50,220 |
| South Dakota | $50,180 |
| New Jersey | $49,620 |
| Texas | $49,620 |
| Vermont | $49,350 |
| Virginia | $49,130 |
| Wisconsin | $49,050 |
| Alaska | $48,830 |
| Florida | $48,000 |
| Louisiana | $48,000 |
| North Carolina | $47,860 |
| Indiana | $47,680 |
| Kansas | $47,150 |
| South Carolina | $46,230 |
| Alabama | $45,890 |
| Oklahoma | $45,390 |
| Arkansas | $44,500 |
| Maine | $43,120 |
| Delaware | $42,680 |
| Kentucky | $38,940 |
| California | $38,220 |
| Illinois | $30,690 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,030 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for environmental science and protection technicians, including health differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $63,933 | 7.6% | 1.54 |
| Middle Atlantic | $56,385 | 19.6% | 0.97 |
| Plains States | $56,096 | 6.9% | 0.81 |
| New England | $53,295 | 3.8% | 0.67 |
| Southwest | $50,347 | 16.7% | 1.04 |
| Southeast | $48,611 | 23.9% | 0.90 |
| Great Lakes | $42,224 | 15.4% | 0.84 |
| Other U.S. Territories | $29,030 | 0.4% | 0.41 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | NY | $78,380 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | GA | $76,830 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $73,990 | 670 |
| Fresno, CA | CA | $68,940 | 280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | CA | $67,190 | 60 |
| Bismarck, ND | ND | $65,030 | 30 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | NY | $64,840 | 180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | IL | $64,770 | 540 |
Top Industries Employing Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians, including health are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 17,590 | $48,560 |
| Educational Services | 1,300 | $52,150 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1,060 | $57,390 |
| Manufacturing | 640 | $68,420 |
| Utilities | 480 | $83,390 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 340 | $39,700 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 330 | $59,610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 310 | $62,870 |
Below are examples of industries where environmental science and protection technicians, including health work:
Software Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Use
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for environmental science and protection technicians, including health is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Time Pressure
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Most environmental science and protection technicians, including health positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Water Resource Specialists (Primary-Long)
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers (Primary-Long)
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors (Primary-Short)
- Water/Wastewater Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Environmental Engineers (Primary-Short)
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors (Supplemental)
- Nuclear Engineers (Supplemental)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future environmental science and protection technicians, including health often complete programs in:
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
3 programs across 3 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
3 programs across 1 majors
Science Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 2 majors
Natural Resources and Conservation
1 programs across 1 majors
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
Physical Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-4042.00 (Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health).
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