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
How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician Environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary
Education
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree in environmental science, environmental health, or public health, or a related field. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. A background in natural sciences—including classes in chemistry, biology, and physics—is important for environmental science and protection technicians. College students should take science courses that provide laboratory experience. Coursework in math, statistics, and computer science also is useful for data analysis and modeling. Training Technicians whose jobs involve handling hazardous waste typically need to complete training that meets Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The length of training may depend on the type of hazardous material that workers handle. The training covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination.
Training
. Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree, although some positions may require a bachelor’s degree.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states have specific requirements, such as a license or registration, for environmental science and protection technicians. Check with your state licensing agency for more information. Employers may prefer that workers have or plan to obtain a regular driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL). OSHA certification, such as the HAZWOPER, also may be helpful. These workers also may obtain optional certification to conduct certain types of environmental and health inspections. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
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. Employment Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as fracking, and the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth should lead to more jobs for environmental science and protection technicians as businesses and governments rely on these workers to help monitor the environment and comply with regulations. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Environmental science and protection technicians, including health 7% Life, physical, and social science technicians 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Duties
Environmental science and protection technicians typically do the following:
- Inspect public spaces, businesses, facilities, and other areas to ensure that there are no environmental, health, or safety hazards
- Set up and maintain equipment to monitor pollution levels, such as remote sensors that measure emissions from smokestacks
- Collect samples of air, soil, water, and other materials for laboratory analysis
- Label and track samples being transported to the laboratory to ensure the samples’ integrity
- Use equipment, such as microscopes, to evaluate and analyze samples for the presence of contaminants
- Prepare tables, charts, and reports to summarize test results
- Discuss test results and analyses with clients
- Verify compliance with regulations that help prevent pollution
Environmental science and protection technicians help monitor environmental quality and manage regulation compliance. Their tasks vary, depending on where they work. In government positions, they may enforce regulations by conducting inspections and investigating complaints of air quality, water quality, or food safety. In businesses, they may develop cleanup plans for contaminated sites and recommend ways to reduce, control, or eliminate pollution.
These technicians also may conduct feasibility or environmental impact studies related to proposed construction. Or they may evaluate areas of potential health risks from environmental contamination, such as abandoned industrial sites.
Environmental science and protection technicians may collect, track, and test samples in laboratory work similar to that of chemical technicians, biological technicians, and microbiologists. However, in contrast to those workers, environmental science and protection technicians focus on the relationship between the environment and human health.
Environmental science and protection technicians often work under the supervision of environmental scientists, who direct the technicians’ work and evaluate their results. In addition, technicians may collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians in other fields on projects related to environmental contamination and public health.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Environmental science and protection technicians held about 36,400 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 21% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 20 |
| Testing laboratories and services | 14 |
| Engineering services | 8 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 7 |
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Fieldwork may include visiting industrial sites or working outdoors. While working outdoors, technicians may be exposed to adverse weather conditions.
During fieldwork, environmental science and protection technicians may spend much of the time on their feet and may need to carry heavy equipment, both of which can be physically demanding. They may need to wear protective gear, such as hardhats or masks, to guard against hazards.
Work Schedules
Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Technicians may travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, both of which may require them to work nonstandard hours.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Environmental science and protection technicians evaluate the results of laboratory and field tests that they carry out. Attention to detail. Environmental science and protection technicians must follow precise directions in collecting, tracking, and testing samples and in documenting results. Communication skills. Environmental science and protection technicians need good writing and speaking skills. They must be able to share the results of their work in reports and need to discuss results with colleagues, clients, and, sometimes, the public. Interpersonal skills. Environmental science and protection technicians often work with scientists and other technicians, so they need to collaborate with others as part of a team. Problem-solving skills. Environmental science and protection technicians use sound reasoning and judgment to reach conclusions. They must determine the best way to address environmental hazards.
More Information
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.
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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.