Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 820 | $66,900 | $32.16 | |
| Alaska | 670 | $86,210 | $41.45 | |
| Arizona | 1,110 | $66,390 | $31.92 | |
| Arkansas | 170 | $68,320 | $32.85 | |
| California | 12,500 | $94,350 | $45.36 | |
| Colorado | 2,640 | $88,990 | $42.78 | |
| Connecticut | 820 | $84,920 | $40.83 | |
| Delaware | 310 | $57,630 | $27.71 | |
| District of Columbia | 1,190 | $123,900 | $59.57 | |
| Florida | 5,250 | $61,940 | $29.78 | |
| Georgia | 1,450 | $71,680 | $34.46 | |
| Hawaii | 420 | $74,810 | $35.97 | |
| Idaho | 460 | $73,490 | $35.33 | |
| Illinois | 1,410 | $91,010 | $43.76 | |
| Indiana | 940 | $64,150 | $30.84 | |
| Iowa | 560 | $70,910 | $34.09 | |
| Kansas | 410 | $70,760 | $34.02 | |
| Kentucky | 890 | $58,870 | $28.30 | |
| Louisiana | 820 | $78,900 | $37.94 | |
| Maine | 490 | $66,500 | $31.97 | |
| Maryland | 1,570 | $81,030 | $38.96 | |
| Massachusetts | 1,750 | $95,770 | $46.04 | |
| Michigan | 2,210 | $79,950 | $38.44 | |
| Minnesota | 1,700 | $82,360 | $39.60 | |
| Mississippi | 220 | $53,330 | $25.64 | |
| Missouri | $70,310 | $33.80 | ||
| Montana | 340 | $69,450 | $33.39 | |
| Nebraska | 340 | $65,640 | $31.56 | |
| Nevada | 770 | $70,650 | $33.97 | |
| New Hampshire | 410 | $81,820 | $39.34 | |
| New Jersey | 2,860 | $96,060 | $46.18 | |
| New Mexico | 1,470 | $79,620 | $38.28 | |
| New York | 3,840 | $90,010 | $43.28 | |
| North Carolina | 3,620 | $71,030 | $34.15 | |
| North Dakota | 200 | $63,110 | $30.34 | |
| Ohio | 2,100 | $75,660 | $36.37 | |
| Oklahoma | 620 | $68,600 | $32.98 | |
| Oregon | 1,100 | $82,890 | $39.85 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2,580 | $74,740 | $35.93 | |
| Rhode Island | 350 | $83,130 | $39.97 | |
| South Carolina | 340 | $66,800 | $32.12 | |
| South Dakota | 240 | $62,910 | $30.25 | |
| Tennessee | 1,280 | $68,660 | $33.01 | |
| Texas | 4,370 | $78,430 | $37.71 | |
| Utah | 580 | $71,120 | $34.19 | |
| Vermont | 360 | $72,300 | $34.76 | |
| Virginia | 2,670 | $84,350 | $40.55 | |
| Washington | 3,410 | $86,510 | $41.59 | |
| West Virginia | 310 | $69,980 | $33.64 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,190 | $74,710 | $35.92 | |
| Wyoming | 410 | $69,610 | $33.47 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination. Includes instruction in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science and related subjects such as policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
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 focuses on the scientific study of poisons and other biohazards; their interactions with organisms and their food and respiratory systems; and their prevention, management, and counteraction. Includes instruction in toxicological biochemistry, toxic agents and transporters, toxin fate, toxicokinetics and metabolism, toxin classification, molecular toxic mechanisms, extracellular matrices and cell function, bacterial pathogenesis and mutagenesis, pathophysiology and apoptosis, cell stress and injury, studies of specific toxins, and studies of specific organ systems and physiological functions in relation to toxicological problems.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic determinants of susceptibility to external pollutants and poisons; the interaction of toxic agents with biological systems at the molecular and cellular levels; and the development of countermeasures and treatments. Includes instruction in pharmacogenetics, biomolecular structure, gene expression and regulation, transgenic modeling, toxic events signaling, transcriptional activation, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, pulmonary toxicology, xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, risk assessment, molecular dosimetry, and studies of specific toxins and treatment therapies.
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 study of biology, chemistry, geology and physics applied to marine, estuarine and coastal environments. Includes instruction in marine biogeochemistry, atmosphere and ocean dynamics, coastal ecology, coastal ocean processes, microbial ecology, marine ecosystem modeling, and polar microbiology.
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.
A program that focuses on the application of environmental sciences, public health, the biomedical sciences, and environmental toxicology to the study of environmental factors affecting human health, safety, and related ecological issues, and prepares individuals to function as professional environmental health specialists. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, toxicology, public policy analysis, public management, risk assessment, communications, environmental law, occupational health and safety emergency response, and applications such as air quality, food protection, radiation protection, solid and hazardous waste management, water quality, soil quality, noise abatement, housing quality, and environmental control of recreational areas.
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$81,240 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as environmental scientists and specialists, including health.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 0%
- College dropout 0%
- Associate’s degree 0%
- Bachelor’s degree 62%
- Master’s degree 31%
- Doctorate degree 7%
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