Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Tennessee
Thinking about a career as an Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Tennessee? Here’s what the data says. Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. 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. Excludes “Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists” (19-1023), “Conservation Scientists” (19-1031), “Forest and Conservation Technicians” (19-4071), “Occupational Health and Safety Specialists” (19-5011), “Fish and Game Wardens” (33-3031), and “Forest and Conservation Workers” (45-4011).
What do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Make in Tennessee?
For environmental scientists and specialists, including health working in Tennessee, the median annual wage is $76,900 per year (or roughly $36.97/hour).Annual wages span from $54,210 at the 10th percentile to $136,700 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,210 | $26.06 |
| 25th percentile | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Median (50th) | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| 75th percentile | $99,330 | $47.76 |
| 90th percentile | $136,700 | $65.72 |
The job concentration index in Tennessee relative to the national average — is 0.64, indicating fewer environmental scientists and specialists, including health per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, environmental scientists and specialists, including health earn a median of $90,139 per year ($43.34/hour), lower than the Tennessee median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 65,098 environmental scientists and specialists, including health nationwide. In Tennessee alone, approximately 1,160 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 920 environmental scientists and specialists, including health.
Top Tennessee Metros for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
The metro areas below employ the most environmental scientists and specialists, including health in Tennessee.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 480 | $76,700 |
| Knoxville, TN | 270 | $78,410 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 130 | $78,720 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 80 | $77,460 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 70 | $71,590 |
| Jackson, TN | 60 | $68,390 |
| Johnson City, TN | 50 | $76,900 |
Top States for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Employment
The table below shows the states where the most environmental scientists and specialists, including health work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 13,200 |
| Florida | 5,840 |
| North Carolina | 4,330 |
| Washington | 4,280 |
| Texas | 4,090 |
| New York | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | 2,990 |
| Massachusetts | 2,890 |
| Michigan | 2,700 |
| Virginia | 2,700 |
| Ohio | 2,570 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,570 |
| Colorado | 2,480 |
| Minnesota | 1,980 |
| Maryland | 1,800 |
| Arizona | 1,590 |
| Georgia | 1,530 |
| Louisiana | 1,520 |
| District of Columbia | 1,480 |
| Oregon | 1,400 |
Highest-Paying States for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
These states pay the most for environmental scientists and specialists, including health.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $122,440 |
| California | $97,520 |
| Massachusetts | $96,330 |
| Oregon | $93,560 |
| Rhode Island | $90,460 |
| Illinois | $89,010 |
| Washington | $88,670 |
| Minnesota | $87,210 |
| Alaska | $87,060 |
| Colorado | $86,720 |
Skills
Key environmental scientists and specialists, including health skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for environmental scientists and specialists, including health, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
- Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
- Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Sustainability Science
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Marine Science
- Environmental Geosciences
- Public Health
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Chemistry
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Related Careers
Other careers like environmental scientists and specialists, including health include:
- Water Resource Specialists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Engineers
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also Known As
Air Analyst, Ecological Modeler, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Designer, Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Permitting Specialist, Environmental Planner, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Project Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Resources Specialist, Environmental Safety Specialist, Environmental Scientist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-2041.00