Career Library · Sourced profile
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Inspect sites, maintain monitors, collect and track environmental samples, test air, soil, or water, and write reports.
Sources reviewed 2026-10-23
Daily responsibilities
Inspect sites and maintain environmental monitoring equipment.
Collect and track air, soil, or water samples; testing depends on the assignment.
Analyze or test samples and prepare reports.
Work setting
Environment
Work can combine laboratory and field settings; the occupation includes travel to sampling locations.
Schedule
Full-time work is common. Travel, sampling needs, and assignments can produce nonstandard or 40-plus-hour weeks.
People and work demands
Human interaction
Some assignments involve inspecting public spaces, businesses, and facilities; BLS does not quantify routine contact with site representatives.
Emotional intensity
The supplied brief does not characterize emotional intensity; assignments vary and no rating is available here.
Physical reality
During fieldwork, technicians may spend much of the time on their feet, carry heavy equipment, and wear protective gear such as hardhats or masks.
Compensation evidence
Estimated U.S. median: $55,090 per year · May 2025
Scope: Environmental science and protection technicians. U.S. occupation median for May 2025, not an entry wage, local quote, or guarantee. Pay and requirements can differ by role and location.
The amount is an occupation-level national median sourced from the cited BLS evidence; it is not a starting wage or guarantee.
Education and credentials
Typical entry path
An associate degree or comparable postsecondary training is typical. Requirements depend on the position and may range from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree.
Credentials
Some states require a license or registration. OSHA HAZWOPER training applies when covered hazardous-waste or emergency-response work triggers the standard; it is not a universal credential for this occupation.
What still needs local verification
Check the science prerequisites, state rules, driving, field schedule, protective equipment, and whether a specific cleanup assignment triggers HAZWOPER requirements.
Transferable skill prompts
Potentially reusable evidence includes sample handling, labeling and tracking, following procedures, testing, maintaining equipment, and technical report writing.
Other titles to search
Employers do not all use the same title. Try these terms when you research the work and its requirements.
Environmental science technician
Environmental technician
Water sampling technician
Field technician
Practical tradeoffs
Fieldwork can involve travel, nonstandard or 40-plus-hour weeks, prolonged standing, heavy equipment, and protective gear.
Education and any state license or registration depend on the role and location.
HAZWOPER is required only when covered hazardous-waste or emergency-response work triggers the OSHA standard; it is not a universal credential.
A practical first step
Compare local job descriptions for degree level, field/lab balance, driving, hours, state registration, and PPE. Treat job listings as examples to inspect, not evidence that a suitable opening exists.