Career
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Test air, water and soil for pollution.
$55,090
Median pay
+6.9%
Job growth, 2025–35
5,300
Openings a year
Associate's degree
Typical education
2 years
Typical time after high school
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on objects & tools, then ideas & analysis?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
2 years of education after high school (associate's degree), for a median of $55,090 a year and 5,300 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Environmental Science and ConservationSee the degree →
- ChemistrySee the degree →
- Environmental ScienceCIP 03.0104
- Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0506
- Environmental/Environmental Engineering Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0507
- Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/TechnicianCIP 15.0508
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,920 · +3.1%
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220 · +6.1%
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Engineers$107,110 · +6.3%
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$60,020 · -5.7%
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.