Research & DevelopmentGrowingBright Outlook

Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health

Q: What is the salary of a Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health?

The typical salary range is $34,643 - $69,286 per year.

Mid-level

Also known as: Air Analyst, Air Pollution Auditor, Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech), Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician)

Research & DevelopmentBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental HealthPollution ControlEnvironmental MonitoringField & Lab TestingResearchPublic HealthScienceEnvironmentSTEM

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Adobe Acrobat Autodesk AutoCAD ESRI ArcGIS software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word SAP software

In-demand software

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Outlook

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+6.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

5,300

per year (US)

Jobs today

36,400

in 2025 → 38,900 (2035)

Typical entry education

Associate's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

High

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

Moderate

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

High

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This field is experiencing expansion with increasing job opportunities and career advancement potential. Market demand is rising, with new positions being created.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Laboratory Assistant
Field Sampler
Environmental Aide

Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Including Health

Where it can lead

Environmental Scientist
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Health Specialist

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly enhance this career by automating data analysis from sensors and field tests, improving predictive modeling for pollution sources, and optimizing sample collection routes. This will allow technicians to focus more on complex problem-solving, interpretation, and direct environmental interventions rather than routine monitoring tasks.

Salary

$55,090

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Biophysics

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Information Technology