Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
SOC 19-4042BLS OEWS May 2025
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.
National median · BLS
$55,090
▲ +11.32%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$60,800
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
34,670
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$38,170
25th
$45,820
Median (50th)
$55,090
75th
$69,910
90th — top pay
$94,160
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
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Weekly—
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Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
BLS projects employment of environmental science and protection technicians, including health to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 5,300 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
36,400 → 38,900
+2,500 jobs
Projected change
+6.9%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
5,300
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
1.8% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 4)
Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What environmental science and protection technicians, including health 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.
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Also called
Environmental Health Officer (EHO)Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech)SanitarianSoil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician)Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist)Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician)Public Health SanitarianSanitarian SpecialistWater Quality AnalystWater Quality Specialist
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $55,090.
