# Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

> Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-scientists-and-specialists-including-health
- SOC code: 19-2041.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $82,220 (10th percentile $52,520, 90th percentile $140,010)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.1%
- Openings a year: 7,300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 63 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 15 |
| Social (S) | 29 |
| Enterprising (E) | 26 |
| Conventional (C) | 55 |

## What you'd do

- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 91/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 86/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 85/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 85/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 84/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 79/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Science, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Coordination, Monitoring

## Knowledge

English Language, Biology, Customer and Personal Service, Law and Government, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security, Chemistry, Administrative, Mathematics, Education and Training

## Also called

Air Analyst, Ecological Modeler, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Designer, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Permitting Specialist, Environmental Planner, Environmental Programs Specialist

## 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)
- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5122) (CIP 5122, 836 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)
- [Geography and Environmental Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3044) (CIP 3044, 67 colleges)
- Marine Sciences (CIP 3032, 40 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 |
| [Utah State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-state-university-3102) | Public Health | $77,239 | $93,161 | 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 Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Public Health | not reported | $89,522 | $17,279 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Chemistry | $84,338 | $88,364 | not reported |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Public Health | $55,305 | $87,217 | $19,500 |
| [Montana Technological University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/montana-technological-university-1758) | Public Health | not reported | $86,855 | $25,200 |

## Related careers

- [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
- [Industrial Ecologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-ecologists): $82,220 median pay
- [Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians-including-health): $55,090 median pay
- [Conservation Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/conservation-scientists): $73,010 median pay
- [Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $59,920 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.