# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians-including-health
- SOC code: 19-4042.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $55,090 (10th percentile $38,170, 90th percentile $94,160)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.9%
- Openings a year: 5,300
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 81 |
| Investigative (I) | 77 |
| Artistic (A) | 4 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 6 |
| Conventional (C) | 65 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 85/100)
- Getting Information (importance 81/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 74/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 72/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 71/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 71/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 69/100)
- Processing Information (importance 67/100)

## 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

## 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)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Natural Resources Conservation and Research](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0301) (CIP 0301, 1,081 colleges)
- [Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1505) (CIP 1505, 283 colleges)
- [Sustainability Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3033) (CIP 3033, 279 colleges)
- [Pharmacology and Toxicology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2610) (CIP 2610, 109 colleges)
- [Physical Science Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4103) (CIP 4103, 97 colleges)
- [Science Technologies/Technicians, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4199) (CIP 4199, 90 colleges)
- [Geography and Environmental Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3044) (CIP 3044, 67 colleges)
- Environmental Geosciences (CIP 3041, 17 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of California-Santa Barbara UCSB](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-santa-barbara-ucsb-2888) | Pharmacology and Toxicology | $42,364 | $98,462 | $11,000 |
| [The University of Findlay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-findlay-2754) | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $94,131 | not reported |
| [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegesref.com/college/college-of-the-holy-cross-626) | Chemistry | $51,144 | $93,122 | $18,250 |
| [The College of New Jersey](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-college-of-new-jersey-2736) | Chemistry | not reported | $90,396 | $27,000 |
| [University of Alaska Anchorage](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-alaska-anchorage-2863) | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | not reported | $90,046 | not reported |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Chemistry | $84,338 | $88,364 | not reported |
| [New York University NYU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-york-university-nyu-1866) | Chemistry | not reported | $86,197 | not reported |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Sustainability Studies | $80,080 | $85,545 | $27,000 |

## Related careers

- [Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $59,920 median pay
- [Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-scientists-and-specialists-including-health): $82,220 median pay
- [Environmental Compliance Inspectors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-compliance-inspectors): $80,730 median pay
- [Environmental Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineers): $107,110 median pay
- [Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators): $60,020 median pay
- [Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/brownfield-redevelopment-specialists-and-site-managers): $141,900 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.