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.

$49,490
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+4% projected 2024โ€“2034
Associate's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Environmental science and protection technicians spend their days collecting and analyzing samples from various sites to assess pollution levels and environmental hazards. They gather specimens of water, soil, air, and other materials from locations ranging from industrial facilities to natural ecosystems, carefully documenting where and when each sample was taken. Back in the laboratory, they conduct tests using specialized equipment to measure contaminants, pH levels, bacteria counts, and other critical indicators of environmental health. These technicians also maintain and calibrate testing instruments, ensuring accuracy in all measurements.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Physical Science Technologies/Technicians(associates)Lee College, TX
$94,986
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(masters)The University of Findlay, OH
$91,740
Sustainability Studies(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$86,469
Science Technologies/Technicians(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$83,471
Sustainability Studies(masters)Presidio Graduate School, CA
$82,953
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Webster University, MO
$81,807
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Yale University, CT
$75,985
Sustainability Studies(masters)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,703
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$75,666
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Columbia Southern University, AL
$74,546
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)American University, DC
$73,531
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Harvard University, MA
$72,276
Science Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)North Carolina State University at Raleigh, NC
$72,274
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(certificate)Front Range Community College, CO
$70,888
Sustainability Studies(masters)CUNY City College, NY
$70,051
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of San Francisco, CA
$69,495
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(bachelors)Bentley University, MA
$68,600
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians(associates)Kilgore College, TX
$68,335
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(certificate)High Plains Technology Center, OK
$67,935
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)The University of Texas at Arlington, TX
$67,876
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)Duke University, NC
$67,458
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)The University of Findlay, OH
$67,266
Sustainability Studies(masters)Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ
$65,944
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)Pennsylvania College of Technology, PA
$65,154
Natural Resources Conservation and Research(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$64,831

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