Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn a median of $55,090 per year ($26.49/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.9% through 2035, with about 5,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 19-4042
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health in four numbers
- Median pay
- $55,090a year, or $26.49/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $94K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.9%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,30036,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202536.4K
- Projected 203538.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 36.4K Projected 2035 38.9K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school4.6%
- Certificate4.6%
- Associate's22.7%
- Bachelor's68.2%
Highest education held by environmental science and protection technicians, including health Segment Value High school 4.6% Certificate 4.6% Associate's 22.7% Bachelor's 68.2%
Also advertised as: Environmental Health Officer (EHO), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist), Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Public Health Sanitarian, Sanitarian.
Pay
How much do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health make?
Every environmental science and protection technician, including health in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$55,090
Middle half earn $45,820 to $69,910
- 10th
- $38,170
- 25th
- $45,820
- 75th
- $69,910
- 90th
- $94,160
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $38,170 |
| 25th | $45,820 |
| Median | $55,090 |
| 75th | $69,910 |
| 90th | $94,160 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $55,090
- Median hourly wage
- $26.49/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $60,800
- People employed
- 34,670
Versus all US occupations
At $55,090, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn 8% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,110 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 33% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $94,160 or more while the bottom 10% earn $38,170, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 27% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($67,160), but once local prices are taken into account Nebraska leads at $73,516 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $67,160 | $62,759 | 850 |
| 2Nebraska | $66,240 | $73,516 | 140 |
| 3Connecticut | $66,120 | $63,816 | N/A |
| 4Minnesota | $65,320 | $66,233 | 450 |
| 5Rhode Island | $64,830 | $63,385 | 90 |
| 6New York | $62,400 | $57,820 | 1,960 |
| 7New Mexico | $62,330 | $67,594 | 500 |
| 8North Dakota | $61,430 | $69,054 | 140 |
| 9California | $61,220 | $55,293 | 6,010 |
| 10Colorado | $60,930 | $59,125 | 740 |
Job outlook
Is Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | +6.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health to change 6.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,300 openings are projected each year, 14.6% of the 36,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as fracking, and the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth should lead to more jobs for environmental science and protection technicians as businesses and governments rely on these workers to help monitor the environment and comply with regulations.
Getting in
How to become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree, although some positions may require a bachelor’s degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as environmental science and protection technicians, including health.
- Bachelor's Degree68.2%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree22.7%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)4.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 68.2% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 22.7% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 4.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health do?
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 monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Day-to-day tasks
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- 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.
- Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where environmental science and protection technicians, including health work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals21%
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services20%
- Testing laboratories and services14%
- Engineering services8%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 21% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 20% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 14% |
| Engineering services | 8% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Science3.4
- Monitoring3.4
- Mathematics3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Science | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic5.8
- Investigative5.6
- Conventional4.9
- Social1.9
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
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More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with environmental science and protection technicians, including health highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
- Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health$55,090
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health | $55,090 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health appears on
Questions
Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health: frequently asked questions
How much do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health make?
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn a median of $55,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 8% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $26.49/hr. The middle half earn between $45,820 and $69,910. The top 10% earn $94,160 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 68.2% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.9% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health do?
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. A core O*NET task: record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health the most?
The highest state medians for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health are Washington ($67,160), Nebraska ($66,240), Connecticut ($66,120) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Nebraska moves to the top at $73,516.
What personality type suits an Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health?
O*NET scores Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.