Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. PayThe median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $55,090 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $55,090 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Work Environment
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $55,090 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,300 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $55,090 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,300 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for environmental science and protection technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.