Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Also called: Environmental Health Officer (EHO) · Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech) · Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist) · Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) · Public Health Sanitarian · Sanitarian
Median pay (national)
$49,490
$36,130–$85,630 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
39,390
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4%
~5,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for environmental science and protection technicians, including health shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $85,630 versus $36,130 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $49,490 leaves roughly 73% 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 +4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $78,270, +58% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $29,030 — a 170% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing 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 Outlook 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
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Science
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
- Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- SAP software
- Autodesk Softdesk
- Database software
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcPad
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI software
- FishXing
- Flood modeling software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Graphics software
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Biology
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology