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.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
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 Scientist or Specialist For most jobs, environmental scientists and specialists need at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field. To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in a natural science.
Education
Environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field. For example, students may major in natural resources, biology, or physical science. Coursework in these fields often includes chemistry, geology, and physics. Students may find that specialized courses, such as in hydrology, waste management, or environmental policy and regulation, also are beneficial. Completing an internship or volunteering with an environmental science organization while in school may help students gain practical experience.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some employers prefer or require that candidates for environmental scientist and specialist positions have certification related to the work they will do. Advancement As environmental scientists and specialists gain experience, they may be given additional responsibilities. For example, they may supervise technicians or other scientists or be promoted to project leader, program manager, or some other management position.
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 all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,300 openings for environmental scientists and specialists 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 Public interest in hazards facing the environment is projected to create demand for environmental scientists and specialists. These workers are expected to continue to be needed to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions that ensure communities’ health. Businesses are expected to continue consulting with environmental scientists and specialists to help reduce the impact of their operations on the environment. For example, environmental consultants help businesses to develop practices that minimize waste, prevent pollution, and conserve resources. Other environmental scientists and specialists will be needed to help planners develop and construct buildings, utilities, and transportation systems that protect natural resources and limit damage to the land. Environmental Scientists and Specialists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Environmental scientists and specialists, including health 6% Physical scientists 6% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Environmental Scientists and Specialists Do
Environmental scientists and specialists conduct research or investigations to protect the environment or human health. They may collect, study, and report on data of air, food, water and other sources and then recommend action.
Duties
Environmental scientists and specialists typically do the following:
- Determine data collection methods for research, investigations, and surveys
- Collect and compile environmental data samples for scientific analysis
- Analyze samples, surveys, and other information to identify and assess sources of environmental pollutants or hazards
- Develop plans to prevent, control, or address environmental problems
- Provide information and guidance to government officials, businesses, and the general public on possible environmental hazards and health risks
- Ensure that actions comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
- Prepare reports and presentations to document research and findings
Environmental scientists and specialists identify and analyze existing or potential environmental problems, for which they then develop solutions to reduce or eliminate. For example, environmental scientists and specialists may work to reclaim lands and waters that have been contaminated by pollution. They also might assess the environmental risks a new construction project poses and recommend ways to minimize its impact.
Some environmental scientists and specialists focus on environmental regulations that are designed to protect people’s health, while others focus on regulations designed to minimize society’s impact on the ecosystem. Environmental scientists and specialists who work for federal, state, or local government ensure compliance with regulations involving natural resources. Those who work for consulting firms help businesses follow regulations.
The following are examples of types of environmental scientists and specialists:
Climate change analysts study effects on ocean, forest, and other ecosystems caused by long-term shifts in weather patterns. These analysts may do outreach education activities and grant writing typical of scientists.
Environmental health and safety specialists study how environmental factors affect human health. They investigate existing and potential environmental risks to well-being and educate the public about those risks.
Environmental restoration planners assess polluted sites and determine the cost of and activities necessary for cleanup.
Industrial ecologists work with organizations to increase the efficiency of their operations, with the goal of limiting an operation’s impact on the environment. They analyze costs and benefits of various programs and their impacts on ecosystems.
Other environmental scientists and specialists focus on issues related to their area of expertise. For example, environmental chemists study the effects that chemicals have on ecosystems.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Environmental scientists and specialists held about 93,400 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of environmental scientists and specialists were as follows:
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 28% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 19 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 13 |
| Engineering services | 11 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 6 |
Environmental scientists and specialists typically work in office settings and laboratories but may spend time in the field. Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require working in all types of weather. However, fieldwork is often done by environmental science and protection technicians.
Environmental scientists and specialists also may have to travel to meet with clients or present research at conferences.
Work Schedules
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may need to work additional hours or a nonstandard schedule, such as nights and weekends, when conducting fieldwork or completing projects.
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 scientists and specialists evaluate data to reach conclusions. They consider a range of methods and solutions in their analyses. Communication skills. Environmental scientists and specialists may need to present and explain their findings to varied audiences. They also may need to write technical reports. Interpersonal skills. Environmental scientists and specialists typically work on teams with other scientists, engineers, and technicians. They must be able to collaborate effectively to achieve their goals. Problem-solving skills. Environmental scientists and specialists try to resolve issues that impact the environment and people's health. Self-motivation. Environmental scientists and specialists may become frustrated, such as when facing failed test results. They should not become discouraged and must remain motivated.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about environmental scientists and specialists 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.