Environmental science and protection technicians monitor and protect natural resources and public health. You'll conduct field work, analyze data, and ensure compliance with environmental standards. The role requires a bachelor's degree and combines hands-on investigation with technical analysis.
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You document environmental conditions, collect samples, and record data from field sites and laboratories. You gather information about air quality, water systems, soil contamination, and wildlife habitats. You evaluate findings against environmental regulations and safety standards, then communicate results to supervisors and colleagues. Much of your work involves using computers to analyze data and schedule field activities. You may also help develop solutions to environmental problems and prepare reports for regulatory agencies or clients.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earn a median of $55,090 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 5,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your coursework will cover chemistry, biology, mathematics, and environmental law and policy. During your studies, seek internships or field experience with environmental agencies, research institutions, or consulting firms. Strong reading and writing skills matter because you'll document findings and communicate technical information regularly. Consider roles that build your ability to think critically about data and learn new scientific methods on the job.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field. If you're deciding between schools or programs, Pathly can map the environmental science and protection technician, including health path that fits you with your counselor to map out the timeline and coursework that fits your goals.
Many environmental science and protection technician, including healths must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to hands-on work with real-world problems. You like observing systems, gathering concrete evidence, and using data to solve problems. You prefer practical, measurable results over abstract theory.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).