SOC 19-4042.00Bright outlook

    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.

    Median pay
    $55,090
    Growth
    +6.9%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    5,300
    Typical education
    Associate's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $38,170
    Median
    $55,090
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $94,160
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    34,670 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Environmental science and protection technicians perform laboratory and field tests to monitor pollution and protect public health. This career offers a median annual pay of $55,090, with opportunities to work in both outdoor and laboratory settings.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What environmental science and protection technicians, including health do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    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.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    These technicians spend their days gathering and documenting environmental information to identify pollution sources. Working under the guidance of engineers or scientists, they collect samples of water, soil, and gases. They evaluate this information to ensure compliance with environmental standards and laws. The role requires a strong realistic interest, meaning workers enjoy practical, hands-on tasks.

    To succeed, technicians must be skilled in reading comprehension, active listening, and critical thinking. They use scientific principles and mathematics to solve complex problems and make sound judgments. Day-to-day tasks require knowledge of chemistry, biology, public safety, and government regulations. Because they handle sensitive equipment and data, these professionals must show great attention to detail, cautiousness, and dependability. They must also communicate clearly with colleagues and supervisors, update their technical knowledge regularly, and use computers to process their findings.

    How to get there

    To enter this field, the typical minimum requirement is an associate's degree, though many positions require a bachelor's degree along with several years of hands-on experience. Students preparing for this career often major in chemistry, sustainability studies, environmental control technologies, geography and environmental studies, or pharmacology and toxicology.

    Depending on the location and specific job duties, some states list licensing requirements for these technicians. Professionals can also earn specialized certifications to advance their careers. Examples include credentials from the National Radon Proficiency Program, such as the Radon Measurement Field Technician, Radon Measurement Professional, Radon Mitigation Installer, Radon Mitigation Specialist, or Soil Gas Mitigation Compliance Inspector. The National Radon Safety Board also offers a Radon Measurement Technician certification.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for these technicians was $55,090. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $38,170 and the highest 10% earning more than $94,160.

    With 34,670 people employed in the field, the profession is growing. Employment is projected to increase by 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 5,300 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    81 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    77 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    4 / 100
    Social (S)
    16 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    6 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    65 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Documenting/Recording Information
    85
    Getting Information
    81
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    76
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    74
    Scheduling Work and Activities
    72
    Working with Computers
    71
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    71
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    71
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    69
    Processing Information
    67
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Critical Thinking
    • Monitoring
    • Science
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Active Learning

    Knowledge

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Chemistry
    • English Language
    • Biology
    • Law and Government
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Written Expression
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Adaptability
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Perseverance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Cooperation

    Also called

    Air Analyst · Air Pollution Auditor · Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech) · Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician) · Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech) · Asbestos Microscopist · Biological Lab Tech (Biological Laboratory Technician) · Biotechnician · Certified Indoor Environmentalist · Chemical Lab Tech (Chemical Laboratory Technician)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to environmental science and protection technicians, including health

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$55,090 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB logo
      University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB

      Santa Barbara, CA · Pharmacology and Toxicology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $42,364
      4 yrs after
      $98,462
      Median debt
      $11,000
    2. 2The University of Findlay logo
      The University of Findlay

      Findlay, OH · Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $94,131
      Median debt
      Not reported
    3. 3College of the Holy Cross logo
      College of the Holy Cross

      Worcester, MA · Chemistry · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $51,144
      4 yrs after
      $93,122
      Median debt
      $18,250
    4. 4The College of New Jersey logo
      The College of New Jersey

      Ewing, NJ · Chemistry · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $90,396
      Median debt
      $27,000
    5. 5University of Alaska Anchorage logo
      University of Alaska Anchorage

      Anchorage, AK · Science Technologies/Technicians, Other · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $90,046
      Median debt
      Not reported
    6. 6Northeastern University logo
      Northeastern University

      Boston, MA · Chemistry · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $84,338
      4 yrs after
      $88,364
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7
      New York University NYU

      New York, NY · Chemistry · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $86,197
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Sustainability Studies · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $80,080
      4 yrs after
      $85,545
      Median debt
      $27,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What environmental science and protection technicians, including health may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Environmental Geosciences
    • Environmental Science
    • Environmental Toxicology
    • Environmental/Environmental Engineering Technology/Technician
    • Geography and Environmental Studies
    • Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician
    • Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
    • Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
    • Sustainability Studies
    • Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    26 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about environmental science and protection technicians, including health

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common alternative job titles for this career?

    People in this field are known by many names, including air quality technicians, chemical laboratory technicians, and biological laboratory technicians. They may also work as asbestos microscopists, biotechnicians, or analytical lab techs.

    What are the main educational paths for this job?

    Most workers need a bachelor's degree and a few years of experience, but the typical entry-level education is an associate's degree. Relevant college majors include natural resources conservation, physical science technologies, and chemistry.

    What are some related careers in this field?

    If you are interested in this work, you might also explore roles as environmental compliance inspectors, environmental scientists, or water and wastewater treatment plant operators. Other related options include brownfield redevelopment specialists and environmental engineering technologists.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.