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10 Jobs for Environmental Science Majors

What can you do with an Environmental Science degree?

Environmental Science majors study the physical and biological processes that shape the natural world interact. This education and set of skills can help prepare you for a variety of different careers.

Here is a list of 10 jobs you might consider if you are majoring in Environmental Science: 

Job Title Projected Job Growth Median Weekly Salary Median Annual Salary
Compliance Officers 4.14% $1,377.40 $71,625
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 4.57% $1,473.37 $76,615
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 5.88% $910.94 $47,369
Forest and Conservation Technicians 0.03% $755.63 $39,293
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary 4.79% $1,520.42 $79,062
Foresters 1.19% $1,188 $61,776
Postsecondary Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers 4.79% $1,520.42 $79,062
Fish and Game Wardens -1.50% $1,164.04 $60,530
Environmental Economists 7.23% $2,040.67 $106,115
Conservation Scientists 3.90% $1,195 $62,140

Compliance Officers
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

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.

Forest and Conservation Technicians
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Foresters
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.

Postsecondary Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers
Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Fish and Game Wardens
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

Environmental Economists
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Conservation Scientists
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

Explore Career Clusters

A career cluster is a group of jobs with similar features that often require similar knowledge or skills. Environmental Science jobs often fall under the Government and Public Administration, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics career clusters. Explore more to learn about what skills and interests align to these career clusters.

Explore Careers

Explore more careers on BigFuture. Not sure where to start? Get a list of careers that match your interests with our easy 15-minute Career Quiz.

Learn about yourself and your options.