Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

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Annual Earnings Percentiles

Skill Scores

  • analytical icon 75

    Analytical

  • purpose icon 41

    Purpose

  • social icon 33

    Social

  • supported icon 25

    Supported

  • creative icon 23

    Creative

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College Majors

  • Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science technicians, including social science research assistants

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    What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do

    Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. In addition, they work to ensure that environmental violations are prevented.

    Work Environment

    Environmental science and protection technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field.

    How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician

    Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education, although some positions may require a bachelor’s degree.

    Job Outlook

    Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Environmental science and protection technicians should have good job prospects overall.

    Job Trends for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

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    This occupation supported 32,800 jobs in 2012 and 36,200 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 10.4%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 18.6% in 2022 to 38,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 34,000, compared with an observed value of 36,200, 6.5% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 10.4% in 2024 to 39,600 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 40,100 jobs for 2024, 1.3% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.