Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
Also called: Air Permitting and Enforcement Inspector · Compliance Investigator · Enforcement Officer · Environmental Compliance Inspector · Environmental Inspector · Environmental Protection Specialist
Median pay (national)
$78,420
$46,230–$130,030 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
397,770
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3%
~33,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for environmental compliance inspectors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $130,030 versus $46,230 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $78,420 leaves roughly 66% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 33,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $103,010, +31% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $46,570 — a 121% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
- Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
- Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
- Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
- Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
- Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
- Verify that hazardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
- Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognized and proper safety protocols implemented.
- Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.
- Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Salesforce software
- SAP software
- UNIX
- Database software
- DQO-PRO
- Environmental Knowledge and Assessment Tool EKAT
- Field Operations and Records Management System (FORMS) II Lite
- Fully Integrated Environmental Location Decision Support FIELDS
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- HRS Quickscore
- Mass Flux Toolkit
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Biology