Identifies and maps wetlands for development projects, permits and restoration, using plants, soils and hydrology as evidence. BLS does not publish separate figures for environmental scientists and specialists, including health; it counts them within environmental scientist and specialist, including health (SOC 19-2041), whose median pay is $82,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-2041
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Wetland Scientist 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: Wetland Ecologist, Wetland Specialist, Wetland Delineator, Professional Wetland Scientist, Wetland Biologist.
Pay
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make?
Every wetland scientist 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 Wetland Scientist 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.
Getting in
How to become a Wetland Scientist
A bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, soil science or botany is the standard requirement. Plant identification and soils knowledge are essential, and specialized delineation training courses based on the Corps manual are widely taken.
The Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program awards the Wetland Professional in Training and Professional Wetland Scientist credentials based on education, wetland coursework and qualifying experience. Many people start as seasonal field technicians or junior scientists at consulting firms, assisting with delineations during the growing season. GIS skills and familiarity with Section 404 permitting help early career candidates stand out.
- 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 a Wetland Scientist do?
Wetland scientists determine where wetlands are and how projects will affect them. The core skill is wetland delineation: walking a site, identifying plant species, digging soil pits to look for hydric soil indicators, and documenting signs of hydrology, following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delineation manual and regional supplements.
The resulting boundaries go into permit applications under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and state wetland laws. Wetland scientists also assess wetland functions, design and monitor mitigation and restoration projects, and help clients avoid and minimize impacts. Employers include environmental consulting firms, state agencies, the Corps, mitigation banks and conservation groups.
Day-to-day tasks
- Delineate wetland boundaries using vegetation, soils and hydrology
- Identify plant species and record dominance data
- Dig soil pits and describe hydric soil indicators
- Map wetland boundaries with GPS and GIS
- Prepare wetland reports and Section 404 permit materials
- Design and monitor wetland mitigation sites
- Assess wetland functions and condition
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Fieldwork is a large part of the job, often in mud, standing water, dense vegetation, heat and insects. Field seasons follow the growing season and can be busy. Office work involves mapping, data analysis and permit writing. Waders, insect protection and GPS units are standard field gear, and travel to project sites can range from day trips to week-long stays.
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
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.
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 a Wetland Scientist?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRC) built on O*NET's Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Wetland Scientist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
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
- Realistic5.3
- Conventional4.8
- 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 Wetland Scientist
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 - Business and Financial Operations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health
$55,090median a year
Most earn $38K to $94K
+6.9%Associate's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
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
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Wetland Scientist$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 |
| Wetland Scientist | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Wetland Scientist appears on
Questions
Wetland Scientist: frequently asked questions
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for environmental scientists and specialists, including health. It counts them within environmental scientist and specialist, including health, whose median pay is $82,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $64,490 and $107,970, and the top 10% earn $140,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Wetland Scientist?
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 Wetland Scientist 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 a Wetland Scientist do?
Wetland scientists determine where wetlands are and how projects will affect them. A typical task: delineate wetland boundaries using vegetation, soils and hydrology. 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 a Wetland Scientist?
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 ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.