Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Environmental Economists
SOC: 19-3011 O*NET: 19-3011.01
Median Salary
$124,720
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
What does a Environmental Economists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$67,360
10th percentile
Early Career
$89,330
25th percentile
Median
$124,720
50th percentile
Experienced
$174,720
75th percentile
Top Earners
$238,060
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$67,360
25th
$89,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$124,720
Mean: $142,130
75th
$174,720
90th
$238,060
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $170,700 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $89,330 and $174,720
- •Salary spread is 68.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 17,790 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services32.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services32.7%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services22.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.7%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)18,600
Current
2035 (Projected)19,500
+4.7%
+900
Employment Change
+4.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Environmental Economists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 42 locations
District of Columbia
3,000 jobs$167,59037.34x
Maryland
1,130 jobs$144,6803.56x
Massachusetts
1,030 jobs$106,3802.48x
Virginia
950 jobs$137,5902.01x
New York
910 jobs$136,6600.82x
California
860 jobs$119,4100.41x
Texas
560 jobs$121,4200.34x
Pennsylvania
560 jobs$115,0000.81x
Minnesota
500 jobs$105,1201.48x
Florida
500 jobs$102,4300.44x
Washington
450 jobs$109,3001.10x
Arizona
340 jobs$79,6100.90x
Oregon
320 jobs$122,1201.43x
Michigan
320 jobs$106,3500.63x
North Carolina
290 jobs$136,1500.52x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Mathematics
100%
#3
Written Comprehension
100%
#4
Critical Thinking
94%
#5
Mathematical Reasoning
92%
#6
Economics and Accounting
88%
#7
Active Listening
86%
#8
Oral Expression
82%
#9
Mathematics
80%
#10
English Language
76%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Mathematics
advanced5.0
100%
Written Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Mathematical Reasoning
advanced4.6
92%
Economics and Accounting
intermediate4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Oral Expression
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Mathematics
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Mathematical Reasoning
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Economics and Accounting
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Precision Agriculture Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Mechanical Drafters100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Economics and Accounting
Learn on the Job:
- →Computers and Electronics
- →Education and Training
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Economics and Accounting
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Mathematics
- ★Economics and Accounting
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Environmental Economists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Power BI
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechMySQL
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SQL Server
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
MySQL
Teradata Database
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (2)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Testify at regulatory or legislative hearings concerning the estimated effects of changes in legislation or public policy, and present recommendations based on cost-benefit analyses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Provide litigation support, such as writing reports for expert testimony or testifying as an expert witness.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Environmental Economists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Environmental Economists professionals typically have a IEC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
EEnterprising
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Environmental Economists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.89
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.44
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.33
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.15
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.11
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.11
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.9
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Independence
4.2
Integrity
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Innovation
4.1
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Environmental Economists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Environmental Economists
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Long Beach, CA
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Pasadena, CA
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Fresno, CA
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Dallas, NC
512 program completions/year
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Fremont, CA
507 program completions/year
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Walnut, CA
498 program completions/year
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Santa Rosa, CA
496 program completions/year
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Folsom, CA
494 program completions/year