Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
SOC: 19-4042 O*NET: 19-4042.00
Median Salary
$49,490
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
What does a Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,130
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,050
25th percentile
Median
$49,490
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,170
75th percentile
Top Earners
$85,630
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,130
25th
$38,050
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,490
Mean: $56,770
75th
$64,170
90th
$85,630
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $49,500 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,050 and $64,170
- •Salary spread is 52.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 39,390 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:40,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services44.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services44.7%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services19.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4%
Annual Openings:5,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)40,400
Current
2034 (Projected)42,100
+4%
+1,600
Employment Change
+4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
3,490 jobs$49,6200.99x
New York
2,470 jobs$59,3801.02x
Illinois
1,740 jobs$30,6901.12x
Florida
1,660 jobs$48,0000.66x
New Jersey
1,200 jobs$49,6201.10x
Pennsylvania
1,160 jobs$60,0600.75x
Virginia
1,150 jobs$49,1301.11x
Ohio
910 jobs$50,4000.65x
North Carolina
880 jobs$47,8600.70x
Colorado
850 jobs$01.14x
Washington
850 jobs$78,2700.94x
Minnesota
730 jobs$58,2000.97x
Michigan
710 jobs$51,5800.63x
Indiana
660 jobs$47,6800.81x
Massachusetts
630 jobs$54,0000.68x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Science
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Mathematics
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Science
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
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:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Science
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Aerospace Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Anesthesiologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Science
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
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
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 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
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME 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 mixed environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (10)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (3)
1
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% 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 Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
💡 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 Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.50
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.32
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.14
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.95
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.91
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Analytical Thinking
3.7
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Self-Control
3.6
💡 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 or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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