Environmental Restoration Planners

People in this career combine scientific research with hands-on management to restore natural habitats. Day-to-day tasks involve gathering information, analyzing complex data, and using computers to process scientific findings. Planners collaborate closely with field staff and biologists to implement restoration projects and monitor environmental surroundings. They must make critical decisions, solve complex problems, and evaluate project details to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

This role requires strong investigative interests, as professionals must constantly update their knowledge of biology, geography, and mathematics. Communication is vital, as planners regularly share information with supervisors, colleagues, and external organizations. Key skills for this work include critical thinking, active listening, systems analysis, and writing. Additionally, planners draw on knowledge of design, engineering, and government laws to create practical, compliant restoration strategies.

To enter this career, a bachelor's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement. However, the occupation is classified as requiring extensive preparation, and most professionals in the field need a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, PhD, MD, or JD.

Students preparing for this career often major in natural resources conservation and research, geography and environmental studies, marine sciences, environmental geosciences, or sustainability studies. Other relevant college majors include chemistry, public health, and pharmacology and toxicology. Depending on where you plan to work, some states list a license for this profession.

The median annual pay for environmental restoration planners is $82,220. This figure, along with the broader salary range, represents the larger occupational group of environmental scientists and specialists, including health. Within this group, the lowest 10% of earners make less than $52,520, while the highest 10% earn more than $140,010.

There are 89,250 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 6.1%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 7,300 job openings each year.