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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 290 | $68,480 | $32.92 | |
| Alaska | 240 | $55,580 | $26.72 | |
| Arizona | 650 | $49,520 | $23.81 | |
| Arkansas | 110 | $44,090 | $21.20 | |
| California | 5,980 | $52,630 | $25.30 | |
| Colorado | 820 | $56,510 | $27.17 | |
| Connecticut | 170 | $66,360 | $31.91 | |
| Delaware | 90 | $43,000 | $20.67 | |
| Florida | 3,140 | $40,660 | $19.55 | |
| Georgia | 1,270 | $50,550 | $24.30 | |
| Hawaii | 150 | $56,100 | $26.97 | |
| Idaho | 170 | $47,510 | $22.84 | |
| Illinois | 680 | $50,830 | $24.44 | |
| Indiana | 660 | $42,870 | $20.61 | |
| Iowa | 280 | $51,330 | $24.68 | |
| Kansas | 400 | $46,410 | $22.31 | |
| Kentucky | 190 | $41,830 | $20.11 | |
| Louisiana | 250 | $49,940 | $24.01 | |
| Maine | 70 | $44,290 | $21.30 | |
| Maryland | 780 | $53,280 | $25.62 | |
| Massachusetts | 790 | $51,740 | $24.88 | |
| Michigan | 580 | $48,890 | $23.50 | |
| Minnesota | 540 | $50,270 | $24.17 | |
| Mississippi | 40 | $43,020 | $20.69 | |
| Missouri | 580 | $49,660 | $23.88 | |
| Montana | 90 | $38,370 | $18.45 | |
| Nebraska | 120 | $44,940 | $21.61 | |
| Nevada | 210 | $63,070 | $30.32 | |
| New Hampshire | 140 | $52,830 | $25.40 | |
| New Jersey | 990 | $54,900 | $26.39 | |
| New Mexico | 380 | $50,920 | $24.48 | |
| New York | 1,910 | $55,580 | $26.72 | |
| North Carolina | 820 | $46,820 | $22.51 | |
| North Dakota | 70 | $53,690 | $25.81 | |
| Ohio | 1,170 | $44,480 | $21.39 | |
| Oklahoma | 150 | $47,780 | $22.97 | |
| Oregon | 280 | $55,380 | $26.62 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1,670 | $50,890 | $24.47 | |
| South Carolina | 150 | $38,610 | $18.56 | |
| South Dakota | 90 | $35,870 | $17.24 | |
| Tennessee | 800 | $50,170 | $24.12 | |
| Texas | 2,880 | $49,900 | $23.99 | |
| Utah | 170 | $56,640 | $27.23 | |
| Virginia | 870 | $50,400 | $24.23 | |
| Washington | $66,030 | $31.75 | ||
| West Virginia | 800 | $49,840 | $23.96 | |
| Wisconsin | 550 | $48,600 | $23.36 | |
| Wyoming | 100 | $48,670 | $23.40 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using water storage, waterpower, and wastewater treatment systems. Includes instruction in water storage, power and/or treatment systems and equipment; testing and inspection procedures; system maintenance procedures; and report preparation.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using indoor and outdoor environmental pollution control systems. Includes instruction in environmental safety principles, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, instrumentation calibration, safety and protection procedures, equipment maintenance, and report preparation.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in identifying and disposing of hazardous materials. Includes instruction in environmental safety principles, biohazard identification, testing and sampling procedures, laboratory techniques, instrumentation calibration, hazardous waste disposal procedures and systems, safety and protection procedures, equipment maintenance, and report preparation.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the health effects associated with exposure to toxic chemicals and systems occurring in the natural, work, and living environments; the management of environmental toxins and toxicity; and the development of protections for humans, animals, and plants. Includes instruction in applied ecology; microbiology; toxin transport, fate, and degradation; dermal toxicology; reproductive and genetic toxicology; atmospheric and environmental chemistry; metals toxicology; environmental mutagens and biotransformation; nutrient interaction; chemical sensitivity, disorders, and disease; risk assessment; animal waste management; environmental health; and hazardous materials management.
A program that focuses on the concept of sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. Includes instruction in sustainable development, environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, economics, natural resources, sociology, and anthropology.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the environmental implications of geological processes and human activities on Earth. Includes instruction in environmental/natural resource management, geographic information systems (GIS), geology, hydrology, regulatory agency compliance, hazard identification and mitigation, environmental law, environmental policy, and sustainability studies.
A program that focuses on interactions between people and the natural and built environments. Includes instruction in climate science, sustainability, environmental science and policy, research methods, geographic information systems (GIS), human geography, physical geography, remote sensing, and public policy.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of natural systems (air, water, and soil) through the use of chemical techniques and instrumentation, with an emphasis on the movement and fate of pollutants and chemical aspects of contaminant remediation. Includes instruction in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry; aquatic, soil, and atmospheric chemistry; environmental engineering; environmental toxicology; and analytical methods.
Any instructional program in physical science technologies not listed above.
Any instructional program in science technologies not listed above.
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$50,550 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Associate's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as environmental science and protection technicians, including health.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 21%
- College dropout 21%
- Associate’s degree 12%
- Bachelor’s degree 34%
- Master’s degree 8%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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