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
$115,440
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
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
$62,340
10th percentile
Early Career
$82,260
25th percentile
Median
$115,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$166,030
75th percentile
Top Earners
$212,710
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$62,340
25th
$82,260
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$115,440
Mean: $130,910
75th
$166,030
90th
$212,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $150,370 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $82,260 and $166,030
- •Salary spread is 72.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 15,880 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,600
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services25%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services25%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services11.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)17,600
Current
2034 (Projected)17,800
+1.2%
+200
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Environmental Economists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 42 locations
District of Columbia
3,010 jobs$162,61041.26x
California
1,400 jobs$100,5100.76x
Virginia
970 jobs$148,0102.33x
Maryland
920 jobs$137,6103.24x
New York
870 jobs$142,3000.89x
Massachusetts
770 jobs$103,1702.05x
Pennsylvania
710 jobs$113,3001.14x
South Carolina
660 jobs$51,9802.83x
Texas
620 jobs$106,2000.44x
Illinois
590 jobs$112,7900.95x
Washington
470 jobs$116,3901.30x
Florida
460 jobs$89,2500.45x
Georgia
340 jobs$127,2200.68x
Wisconsin
330 jobs$76,9401.09x
Michigan
280 jobs$94,8500.62x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Mathematics
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Mathematics
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
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
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Writing
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Writing
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
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
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