Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-4042.00

$49,490median annual wage, May 2024

39,390people employed, United States

▲ 4.0%projected change, 2024→2034

5,600openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 6% between 2019 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$59,540	2,110
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$60,040	1,690
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$46,200	970
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	$49,700	750
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$51,330	730
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$73,990	670
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$60,580	660
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$47,490	610
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$63,680	590
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$64,770	540
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$46,820	540
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	$52,670	520

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
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.
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.0

Speaking3.9

Writing3.9

Active Listening3.9

Critical Thinking3.8

Monitoring3.4

Science3.4

Mathematics3.1

Active Learning3.1

Learning Strategies3.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Autodesk AutoCAD●ESRI ArcGIS software●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Word●SAP software●Autodesk SoftdeskDatabase softwareESRI ArcInfoESRI ArcPadESRI ArcViewESRI softwareEmail softwareFishXingFlood modeling softwareGeomechanical design analysis GDA softwareGraphics softwareHEC-HMSHEC-RASScientific analysis softwareStatistical softwareTrimble GPS Pathfinder OfficeVisual OTTHYMO

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Outdoors, Under Cover+1.4 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+1.3 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+1.3 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.2 above average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−1.1 below average

Written Letters and Memos+0.9 above average

E-Mail+0.9 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree68%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)23%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)5%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)5%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic5.8

Investigative5.6

Conventional4.9

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Systems Analysis3.1

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Operations Monitoring3.0

Systems Evaluation3.0

Time Management3.0

Service Orientation3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Customer and Personal ServiceChemistryEnglish LanguageBiologyLaw and GovernmentComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionNear Vision

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

SanitarianAir AnalystSmoke TesterSoil AnalystBiotechnicianWater AnalystRadon InspectorField TechnicianWaste SpecialistWastewater AnalystSolid Waste AnalystAsbestos MicroscopistAir Pollution AuditorWater Quality Analyst

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 2

+YouTube+Adobe Acrobat

No longer listed 4

−Word processing software−Computer aided design CAD software−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat−Spreadsheet software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

SanitarianAir AnalystSmoke TesterSoil AnalystWater AnalystBiotechnicianSmog TechnicianRadon InspectorField TechnicianWaste SpecialistCompliance AnalystWastewater Analyst

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
environmental technician	3111.2	exact
groundwater monitoring technician	3111.2.2	close
air pollution analyst	3111.2.1	close
hazardous materials inspector	3257.4.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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