What Do Industrial Ecologist Do?
Career Description Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Industrial Ecologist Responsibilities
- Develop alternative energy investment scenarios to compare economic and environmental costs and benefits.
- Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.
- Apply new or existing research about natural ecosystems to understand economic and industrial systems in the context of the environment.
- Promote use of environmental management systems (EMS) to reduce waste or to improve environmentally sound use of natural resources.
- Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- Perform environmentally extended input-output (EE I-O) analyses.
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Industrial Ecologist Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Industrial Ecologists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles
- Product Development Ecologist
- Ecologist
- Industrial Ecologist
- Aquatic Ecologist
- Industrial Retrofit Designer
Is There Job Demand for Industrial Ecologists?
There were about 89,500 jobs for Industrial Ecologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,900 new jobs for Industrial Ecologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Industrial Ecologist are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Industrial Ecologists Salary
Industrial Ecologists make between $42,520 and $124,620 a year.

Industrial Ecologists who work in District of Columbia, California, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Industrial Ecologists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $67,630 |
Alaska | $80,220 |
Arizona | $72,150 |
Arkansas | $58,540 |
California | $91,890 |
Colorado | $93,010 |
Connecticut | $83,220 |
Delaware | $59,890 |
District of Columbia | $115,190 |
Florida | $58,790 |
Georgia | $72,860 |
Hawaii | $69,780 |
Idaho | $60,470 |
Illinois | $78,640 |
Indiana | $62,590 |
Iowa | $74,140 |
Kansas | $76,780 |
Kentucky | $51,740 |
Louisiana | $68,570 |
Maine | $67,390 |
Maryland | $77,300 |
Massachusetts | $82,580 |
Michigan | $69,430 |
Minnesota | $74,880 |
Missouri | $53,820 |
Montana | $68,660 |
Nebraska | $61,020 |
Nevada | $63,920 |
New Hampshire | $75,520 |
New Jersey | $80,350 |
New Mexico | $87,200 |
New York | $79,340 |
North Carolina | $64,850 |
North Dakota | $72,860 |
Ohio | $74,750 |
Oklahoma | $65,490 |
Oregon | $77,980 |
Pennsylvania | $74,430 |
Rhode Island | $82,160 |
South Dakota | $61,250 |
Tennessee | $72,470 |
Texas | $80,880 |
Utah | $68,480 |
Vermont | $66,440 |
Virginia | $85,550 |
Washington | $85,090 |
West Virginia | $56,380 |
Wisconsin | $61,030 |
Wyoming | $68,940 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Industrial Ecologists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Industrial Ecologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Python
- Email software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- StataCorp Stata
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- STATISTICA
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Online databases
Becoming an Industrial Ecologist
Education needed to be an Industrial Ecologist:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Industrial Ecologists Work

Industrial Ecologists work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Lynn Betts via Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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