The median pay for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health is $82,220 a year ($39.53/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% through 2035, with about 7,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-2041
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health in four numbers
- Median pay
- $82,220a year, or $39.53/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $53KTop 10% $140K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.1%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,30093,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202593.4K
- Projected 203599.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 93.4K Projected 2035 99.2K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school21.3%
- Some college0.8%
- Bachelor's47.5%
- Post-bacc certificate12.7%
- Master's13.8%
- Doctorate4%
Highest education held by environmental scientists and specialists, including health Segment Value High school 21.3% Some college 0.8% Bachelor's 47.5% Post-bacc certificate 12.7% Master's 13.8% Doctorate 4%
Also advertised as: Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist.
Pay
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make?
Every environmental scientist and specialist, including health in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$82,220
Middle half earn $64,490 to $107,970
- 10th
- $52,520
- 25th
- $64,490
- 75th
- $107,970
- 90th
- $140,010
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $52,520 |
| 25th | $64,490 |
| Median | $82,220 |
| 75th | $107,970 |
| 90th | $140,010 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $82,220
- Median hourly wage
- $39.53/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $91,680
- People employed
- 89,250
Versus all US occupations
At $82,220, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn 61% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $31,240 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
The median is typical for the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $140,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $52,520, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 62% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $132,620, and still leads at $120,672 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Environmental Scientists and Specialists, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $132,620 | $120,672 | 1,270 |
| 2California | $106,510 | $96,198 | 12,490 |
| 3Rhode Island | $100,730 | $98,485 | 330 |
| 4Massachusetts | $100,640 | $95,162 | 2,930 |
| 5Washington | $98,300 | $91,858 | 4,470 |
| 6Oregon | $97,440 | $94,272 | 1,370 |
| 7Texas | $92,000 | $94,790 | 5,630 |
| 8Alaska | $91,960 | $89,841 | 860 |
| 9Utah | $90,710 | $91,752 | 1,020 |
| 10Minnesota | $88,000 | $89,230 | 2,260 |
Job outlook
Is Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | +6.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health to change 6.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 5,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,300 openings are projected each year, 7.8% of the 93,400 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.
Public interest in hazards facing the environment is projected to create demand for environmental scientists and specialists. These workers are expected to continue to be needed to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions that ensure communities’ health.
Businesses are expected to continue consulting with environmental scientists and specialists to help reduce the impact of their operations on the environment. For example, environmental consultants help businesses to develop practices that minimize waste, prevent pollution, and conserve resources. Other environmental scientists and specialists will be needed to help planners develop and construct buildings, utilities, and transportation systems that protect natural resources and limit damage to the land.
Getting in
How to become an Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health
To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in a natural science.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor'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 scientists and specialists, including health.
- Bachelor's Degree47.5%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21.3%
- Master's Degree13.8%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate12.7%
- Doctoral Degree4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 47.5% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 21.3% |
| Master's Degree | 13.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 12.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health do?
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. They may collect, study, and report on data of air, food, water and other sources and then recommend action.
Day-to-day tasks
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may need to work additional hours or a nonstandard schedule, such as nights and weekends, when conducting fieldwork or completing projects.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict 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 scientists and specialists, including health work
Share of jobs by employer type
- State government, excluding education and hospitals28%
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services19%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals13%
- Engineering services11%
- Federal government, excluding postal service6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 28% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 19% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 13% |
| Engineering services | 11% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.8
- Monitoring3.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Coordination3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Instructing3.1
- Management of Personnel Resources3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment 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
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
“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 Scientist and Specialist, Including Health?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative7.0
- Realistic4.8
- Conventional4.3
- Social2.8
- Enterprising2.6
- Artistic1.9
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.
Explore further
Careers related to Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health
O*NET related occupations
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- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
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$55,090median a year
Most earn $38K to $94K
+6.9%Associate's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
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Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician
$59,920median a year
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More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with environmental scientists and specialists, including health highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$90,150
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within environmental scientist and specialist, including health
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health appears on
Questions
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health: frequently asked questions
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make?
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn a median of $82,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 61% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $39.53/hr. The middle half earn between $64,490 and $107,970. The top 10% earn $140,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.5% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health do?
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. A core O*NET task: communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health the most?
The highest state medians for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health are District of Columbia ($132,620), California ($106,510), Rhode Island ($100,730) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health?
O*NET scores Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.