Compliance Officers
Median wage · national
$80,730
Range: $61K – $109K
Employed
417K
Openings/yr
33K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians earn $55,090 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $45,820 and $69,910. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
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.
- Median Wage
- $55,090
- Employed Nationally
- 35K
- Openings / Year
- 5,600
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Air Analyst
Air Pollution Auditor
Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech)
Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician)
Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech)
How Much Do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Make?
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians earn $55,090 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,820 and $69,910. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$55,090
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$46K–$70K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$45,820
Entry-level
$55,090
Median
$69,910
Experienced
What Do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians?
The BLS projects +4.0% employment change for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 5,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.0%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
5,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
35K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Environmental Science and Protection Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $55,090 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 3,490 | $49,620 | -9.9% |
| 2 | New York | 2,470 | $59,380 | +7.8% |
| 3 | Illinois | 1,740 | $30,690 | -44.3% |
| 4 | Florida | 1,660 | $48,000 | -12.9% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 1,200 | $49,620 | -9.9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Environmental Science and Protection Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 9 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23,672 | $55,012 | 1,078 |
| 2 | Chemistry | 19,976 | $65,120 | 1,380 |
| 3 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 8,781 | $66,185 | 357 |
| 4 | Sustainability Studies | 4,382 | $57,887 | 263 |
| 5 | Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,688 | — | 96 |
| 6 | Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,436 | $68,416 | 82 |
| 7 | Pharmacology | 1,179 | $68,883 | 130 |
| 8 | Geography and Environmental Studies | 809 | $55,678 | 45 |
| 9 | Environmental Geosciences | 102 | — | 15 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Environmental Science and Protection Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Pros & Cons
The data on Environmental Science and Protection Technicians shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $55,090 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.0% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $55,090 median while building the experience employers require.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians is $55,090, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,820 and $69,910. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Environmental Science and Protection Technicians a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $55,090 median, with +4.0% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Environmental Science and Protection Technicians?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A associate's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Natural Resources Conservation and Research are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $55,090 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians?
The BLS projects +4.0% employment change for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 5,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 35K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Environmental Science and Protection Technicians professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians roles: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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