Top Environmental Science Careers

Top Environmental Career Tips

Before viewing the list of the top careers in environmental science, consider reading the top tips for environmental science majors.

Environmental Scientist

An environmental scientist’s job duties may vary, but it isn’t uncommon for them to conduct experiments with dyes in bodies of water to test how chemicals might disperse during a toxic spill and come up with ways to minimize damage, create maps and/or graphs that illustrates the effects of air pollution over time that helps other officials make better informed decisions about environmental laws, evaluate the affect humans and wildlife have on one another, monitor water qualities at beaches, lakes and ponds to ensure it is containment free and keep people and wildlife safe from exposure to harmful toxins and more.

The objective of an environmental scientist’s career is to investigate, identify, prevent and solve environmental problems in order to ensure that the planet and all its living creatures are kept safe.

Education

Entry-level positions as an environmental scientist usually require a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related scientific field such as biology, physics, chemistry,

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary from an environmental scientist was $63,570.

Demand

The employment rate of environmental scientist is thriving, with projected growth rate to rise $15 from 2012 to 2022. The increase in threats to our environment as more resources are consumed and more and more spaces are commercialized necessitate the recruitment of individuals who possess a strong knowledge of the sciences and the eco system who can use that to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions.

Environmental Engineer

A career in environmental engineering combines the basic principles of engineering with the fields of biology and chemistry to come up with solutions to today’s most pressing environmental issues. Their duties involve coming up with ways to reduce waste, improve recycling, enhance the preventative measures taken to ensure public health and manage air pollution.

Preparing, reviewing and updating environmental investigative reports, designing projects that lead to the preservation of the environment and also help people such as water reclamation facilities, analyzing scientific data and providing technical support on environmental mediation projects and advising corporate and government agencies about cleanup protocol for contaminated areas. There are more tasks performed by environmental engineers, and the specifications of each individual’s job will be predominately influenced by his or her experience, education and geographic region.

Education

Environmental engineers need at least a bachelor’s in either environmental engineering or another branch of the same field such as general, chemical or civil engineering. Practical experience is also highly favored among employers, so getting a license and taking part of cooperative engineering programs that offer college credit for job experience are strongly recommended.

Salary

The median annual income for an environmental engineer was $80,890 in May 2012. Federal government employees earned higher, earning $98,890 each year. Local and state government employees, excluding hospital sand education, earned less at $75,350 and $69,570 respectively.

Demand

Jobs in environmental science are rapidly growing, so the projected rate of 15 percent from 2011 to 2022 still applies to environmental engineers. State and local government positions are particularly expected to increase in availability as the need for more efficient water usage increases.

How to Become an Environmental Engineer

Receiving an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering or another branch of engineering is the first step toward becoming an environmental engineer. Accruing work experience and developing a strong knowledge in current environmental issues is also important.

Environmental Lawyer

There are many lawyers that truly enjoy the justice system and law, but are passionate about the environment. Many lawyers put their two favorite passions together and engage in a career as an environmental lawyer. Environmental lawyers usually represent different companies, businesses, organizations, communities, or even farmers. Environmental laywers are responsible for using the law to find justice for the environment, people, or organisms or wildlife.

Regulatory Areas

There are 11 common regulatory areas for Environmental Law, which include:

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Air Quality
• Water Quality
• Waste Management
• Contaminant cleanup
• Chemical safety
• Water resources
• Mineral resources
• Forest resources
• Wildlife and plants
• Fish and game

Environmental Biologist

Environmental biology is already a more focused aspect of environmental science, but there are still that a student can choose from such as ecological conversation, land and water specialization and landscape analysis and management.

How to Become an Environmental Biologist

Read the full career profile for exactly what wan Environmental Biologist does, as well as salary information and demand and trending for the career by clicking the button below.

Environmental Geologist

An environmental geologist ensures that the water supplies and soil remain pure and uncontaminated without hindering their accessibility to the organisms that need them to survive. How can you become an environmental geologist? What does an environmental geologist do at work? How much does an environmental geologist earn each year? Read our career profile by clicking the button below to find the answers to the most common questions pondered by students who are contemplating a future in environmental geology.

List of Other Careers in the Environmental Science Industry