Environmental Science Technician

Impact: Environmental protection, pollution monitoring, and regulatory compliance

Collect and analyse environmental samples to including air, water, and soil to to monitor pollution levels, assess regulatory compliance, and support environmental research and remediation projects. Operate field and laboratory instruments, maintain data records, and assist environmental scientists and engineers in fieldwork and reporting.

What the day looks like

People interaction: Moderate
Team vs solo: 55% Team / 45% Solo
Client facing: Rarely
Impact visibility: Low
Travel: 20-40% fieldwork
Schedule flexibility: Moderate
Remote work: On-site Only
Typical work hours: 40-45 hours/week
Stress level: Low

At a glance

Median salary: $50,000
Entry-level: $35,000 - $48,000
Senior: $70,000+
Growth by 2033: 7% (about as fast as average)
Demand: Stable
Freelance potential: Low
Salary growth potential: Moderate to 45-60% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt: $10,000 - $30,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

Environmental Sampling Protocols
Field Instrumentation (YSI / Hach)
Laboratory Analysis (ICP-MS / GC)
Data Recording & QA/QC
GIS & GPS Field Mapping
Regulatory Compliance (EPA Methods)

Soft skills

Attention to Detail
Reliability
Teamwork
Scientific Communication
Adaptability

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education: Associate's Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 2-4 years
Years to senior: 5-8 years
Career switching: Easy

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

Where you can go from here

Typical progression

Environmental Science Technician
Senior Technician
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Manager

Future outlook

Automation probability: 35% to routine sampling and data collection are increasingly automated
AI disruption risk: Low
Demand trend: Stable

How people feel about it

Overall satisfaction: 3.4/10
Meaning: 3.8/10
Work-life balance: 3.8/10
Prestige: 5.5/10
Social perception: Moderate

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