Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

These specialists manage the transformation of polluted lands, excluding highly contaminated Superfund sites, so they can be safely used again. On a daily basis, their work revolves around gathering information, analyzing data, and evaluating site details to ensure compliance with government standards. They must make complex decisions, solve problems, and organize project schedules. Communication is a major part of the job, as they regularly share information with supervisors, team members, and external organizations.

Success in this field requires strong skills in critical thinking, coordination, reading comprehension, and active listening. Managers must also be skilled in writing, speaking, and mathematics. Because they oversee technical cleanups, they rely on a diverse foundation of knowledge. This includes chemistry, biology, geography, engineering, and technology, alongside law, government, administration, and customer service. People drawn to this career typically have a strong conventional interest, meaning they enjoy structured work, organizing data, and following clear procedures.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of experience in a related field. Students preparing for this path often choose college majors such as business administration, management and operations, political science and government, history, sociology, or general psychology. Other relevant majors include criminal justice and corrections, computer and information technology administration and management, or health and medical administrative services.

Because the work involves regulatory compliance and environmental safety, credentials can be important. Depending on where you plan to work, some states list specific licensing requirements for individuals in this role.

In 2025, the median annual pay for managers in this category was $141,900. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $74,300 and the highest 10% earning more than $238,270. These wage figures represent the broader group classified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as "Managers, all other."

Employment for this broad management group is projected to grow by 4.9% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. There are approximately 622,190 people employed in this category, and projections show about 100,900 job openings emerging each year.