Careers In Environmental Sciences
To make an informed decision regarding your future profession, you should thoroughly research the field before enrolling.
Careers in environmental science are a fantastic starting point. Either you are unsure about which field to pursue, or you are interested in studying a subject that touches on many of the most pressing issues facing the globe today.
Environmental study careers are becoming increasingly important and demanding, and a degree in it allows you to study virtually any aspect of science you’re interested in because it encompasses so many different disciplines.
Toxic waste, air, water, and soil pollution, as well as any other public health-related concern you can think of, are all addressed by environmental scientists, a modern-day superhero.
An environmental science career teaches to interact with a variety of environments, climates, land formations, and communities. Additionally, you can anticipate spending considerable time in the laboratory, where you will learn how to do various types of tests and analyses.
Possible future careers in environmental science may require extra schooling, training, or certification, while some may require only a bachelor’s degree.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to careers with environmental science degrees. We have also covered a separate guide on top environmental engineering companies in Canada you should know!
21 Jobs for Making a Career in Environmental Science
Due to challenges such as climate change and pollution, careers with environmental majors are growing at a quicker rate than ever before. Individuals who have a degree in environmental science have a variety of professional opportunities, including those as a microbiologist, environmental scientists, or environmental engineers.
Following is the list of careers in environmental science along with average salaries.
1-Environmental Specialist
Their primary responsibility is to track and resolve the effects of the environment on people. Their average salary is $28,460 annually. If you are looking for a job in this field, here is an Environmental Specialist job in Alberta.
2-Environmental Technologist
Environmental technicians are primarily responsible for identifying, evaluating, and preventing various types of environmental contamination. Their average salary is $34,125 yearly. If you are looking for a job in this field, here is an Environmental technician job in Calgary.
3-Environmental Science Teacher
Teaching high school pupils about environmental science is a primary responsibility of environmental science teachers. They earn approximately $39,811 yearly.
4-Marine Scientist
Marine Biologists study the ocean’s marine species. They primarily focus on observation and data collection, conducting experiments and studies on marine species. Their average earning is $48,017 per year on average
5-Food Scientist
They examine the nutrient content of food, find new food sources, and investigate ways to make processed food safe and healthful. They earn $57,009 per year.
6-Environmental Chemists
They gather data on the environment’s impact on human health and the environment. They conduct tests of soil, air, water, and sediment.
They earn a median of $61,413 yearly.
7-Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife biologists study animals in their native habitats to understand their effects. They also research animal traits to sort them into different groups and discover new species. Their median salary is $64,119 per annum.
8-Microbiologist
Most of a microbiologist’s time is spent in a laboratory, researching microorganisms and the conditions under which they thrive in the natural world. They earn an average of $66,849 annually.
9-Environmental Consultant
They give technical advice on managing environmental challenges and decreasing carbon footprint. They can design a plan to reduce or eliminate future pollution. Their average yearly pay rate is $67,580.
10-Environmental Scientists
Primary responsibilities of environmental scientists include locating and removing sources of pollutants that harm the environment. They earn a median of $69,869 annually.
11-Environmental Geologist
Earth and environmental science careers provide a wide range of options.
Geologists analyze and collect information on the Earth’s geological components.
Researchers examine rocks, soil, and water, and they can even evaluate industrial sites like mines and earn $70,083 yearly.
12-Geographers
Geographers study the Earth and its different phenomena and examine Earth’s surface. Their average salary is $72,727 per annum.
13-Ecologists
Researchers in the field of ecology examines ecosystems to see how human activities affect them and the surroundings in which they exist.
They earn an average of $74,247 in a year.
14-Environmental Managers
They manage the rules to lower the carbon footprint and waste outputs.
When it comes to an organization’s environmental health, they consider pollution, air quality, and waste and earn $74,283 annually.
15-Environmental Lawyer
Environmental lawyers specialize in the law involving land, air, and water.
They could advocate for new environmental regulations and laws and preserve ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity. Their average earning is $74,337 annually.
16-Environmental Biologists
The primary responsibilities of environmental biology careers include assessing current conditions of the environment and determining the effects of various factors on the environment. Their average salary is $75,756 yearly.
17-Environmental Engineer
Environmental protection is one of the primary responsibilities of this profession’s workforce. Typical projects for an environmental engineer include waste-to-energy and water-reclamation systems. Their median salary is $79,617 annually. Industrialized Western countries tend to be more interested in environmental engineering than developing countries. If you want to learn more about the Environmental Engineer job description then you should check our separate blog on what does an Environmental Engineer do.
18-Health Officer for the Department of Environmental Protection
Environmental health officers assist in maintaining suitable standards in both the public and private sectors.
Standards for workplace safety, decreasing pollution, and accident prevention may be among the many they keep an eye on and help enforce. There is an average yearly wage of $82,879.
19-Meteorologist
A meteorologist’s first and foremost responsibilities include examining the atmosphere of Earth to anticipate weather patterns and conditions. They earn $85,647 yearly.
20-Water Quality Scientist
Scientists studying water quality perform several tests and analyses on samples of surface water, groundwater, and even drinking water to determine its quality. They earn $87,287 yearly.
21-Environmental Health and Safety Office
An environmental health and safety officer’s primary job responsibilities include inspecting, analyzing, and ensuring compliance with environmental safety rules and industry standards in the workplace. Their average salary is $88,780 per year.
The best countries for environmental science jobs are Canada, the USA, the UK, and UAE due to their wealth and resources.
Which Skill Should You Reflect on an Environmental Science Background Resume?
While acquiring an environmental science degree is necessary for employment in this field, it is equally critical to possess and showcase the talents earned via experience and education.
The following are abilities that you can include on your resume to help highlight your environmental science knowledge and experience:
- Organizing abilities
- Capacity for research
- Data-collection abilities
- Analytical abilities
- Detail-oriented
- Creating laboratory reports
- Reasoning deductively
- Reasoning critically
- Composing scientific research articles
- Communication abilities and time management abilities
- Capacity for collaboration
- Quantitative research
- Capacity for environmental sampling
- Ability to solve problems
- Science and mathematics abilities
- Recognize environmental concerns
- Environmental solutions
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- Is environmental science a good career?
Those who earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental career opportunities have a wide range of employment and academic options. However, a master’s degree boosts the levels of jobs.
2- What is the highest paying job in environmental science?
Following are the high paying jobs in environmental science are:
- Environmental Engineers earn an average of $79,617 annually.
- Health Protection Officer’s median yearly salary is $82,879.
- Meteorologists have a median yearly wage of $85,647.
- Water Quality Scientist earns $87,287 yearly
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer’s average salary is $88,780 per annum.
3- Does NASA hire environmental scientists?
At NASA AFRC, you’ll be doing field and office work as an environmental scientist.
A self-motivated team player with a B.S. in environmental science or a similar technical field, a proven track record in environmental consulting, and a drive to learn and develop professionally and personally with each new project are all prerequisites for this position.
4- Is environmental science a useless degree?
The employment of environmental scientists and specialists will rise by 8% between 2020 and 2030, on par with the national average. There will be an average of 9,400 jobs for environmental scientists and professionals every year for the next decade.
5- Who hires environmental scientists?
The government, non-profit environmental agencies, commercial businesses, environmental agencies, schools, or zoos are the most common workplaces for these individuals.
6- Where do environmental scientists work?
Non-profit environmental organizations and commercial corporations are the most common workplaces for these professionals. They also work in zoos, aquariums, and schools.
7- Are environmental scientists happy?
Environmental Science careers are in the top 46% of careers with a 3.3 out of 5-star rating for job satisfaction.
8- How many years does it take to become an environmental scientist?
The BSc (Environmental Science) requires 360 credits over three years. Although studying geology, geography, history, natural and social sciences is more challenging, the rewards outweigh the cons. The average time to earn a master’s or doctorate degree is two to six years.
Conclusion
Because of its cross-disciplinary nature, it’s difficult, challenging, competitive, and time-consuming to complete. While establishing a scientific approach, it is necessary to understand all the fundamentals of the sciences. You’ll have a lot of work to do in practice, traveling to far-off places, experiencing, and observing different climates and natural ecosystems.
As part of environmental activism, you’ll need to analyze and evaluate several samples. By the time you finish your degree, you will have gained valuable expertise for careers in the environmental field and sustainability development. For environmental science job entry-level positions, experience as an assistant researcher or lab technician may be necessary.
The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.