The median pay for Industrial Ecologists 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
Industrial Ecologist 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
- Bachelor's21.7%
- Post-bacc certificate4.4%
- Master's65.2%
- Doctorate8.7%
Highest education held by industrial ecologists Segment Value Bachelor's 21.7% Post-bacc certificate 4.4% Master's 65.2% Doctorate 8.7%
Also advertised as: Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist, Researcher.
Pay
How much do Industrial Ecologists make?
Every industrial ecologist 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, Industrial Ecologists 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 Industrial Ecologists 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 Industrial Ecologist 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 |
|---|---|
| Industrial Ecologists | +6.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Industrial Ecologists 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 Industrial Ecologist
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)
Considerable 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 industrial ecologists.
- Master's Degree65.2%
- Bachelor's Degree21.7%
- Doctoral Degree8.7%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 65.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 21.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 8.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Industrial Ecologist do?
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
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
- Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
- Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
- Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
- Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.
- Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.
- Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.
- Translate the theories of industrial ecology into eco-industrial practices.
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 dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
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 industrial ecologists 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 Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Science3.6
- Active Learning3.6
- Mathematics3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.4
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging 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 Industrial Ecologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Industrial Ecologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| 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
- Realistic4.6
- Conventional4.0
- Enterprising3.0
- Artistic2.1
- Social1.9
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 Industrial Ecologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health
$82,220median a year
Most earn $53K to $140K
+6.1%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Management
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with industrial ecologists 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
- Industrial Ecologist$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 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Industrial Ecologist | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Industrial Ecologist appears on
Questions
Industrial Ecologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Industrial Ecologists make?
Industrial Ecologists 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 Industrial Ecologist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Industrial Ecologists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 65.2% hold master's degree.
Is Industrial Ecologist 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 Industrial Ecologist do?
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. A core O*NET task: identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Cloud-based management software, Computer aided design CAD software.
Which states pay Industrial Ecologists the most?
The highest state medians for Industrial Ecologists are District of Columbia ($132,620), California ($106,510), Rhode Island ($100,730) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Industrial Ecologist?
O*NET scores Industrial Ecologists 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 ISTP, INTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.