Environmental Scientist
Investigates pollution and other hazards in air, water, soil and food, and advises on how to reduce harm to people and nature.
Environmental scientists split their time between fieldwork, laboratories and offices, working for consultancies, regulators, water companies and councils. It suits practical people who like being outdoors, enjoy chemistry and biology together and want their science to inform real decisions.
Also called Environmental consultant, Environmental analyst or Environmental protection officer.
At a glance
- Way in
- Bachelor's degree, often in environmental science, ecology, chemistry, geography and biology
- Pay in the US
- $82,220 a year, the medianFor environmental scientists and specialists, including health, 2025
- Pay in the UK
- £25,000 starting to £50,000 with experienceFor a environmental consultant, the nearest National Careers Service profile
- US outlook
- Faster than average, 2025-2035
- Suits you if
- You like fieldwork, practical chemistry and science that shapes real decisions
Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.
The work
What does an environmental scientist do?
- Collect samples of soil, water and air from sites and test them or send them to a lab
- Assess how a building or industrial project could affect wildlife, water and land
- Analyse monitoring data and write clear reports with recommendations
- Advise companies and landowners on environmental law and how to comply
- Help plan the clean-up after spills, contamination or other incidents
Where they work
- Environmental consultancies
- Government environment agencies
- Water and energy companies
- Local councils
- Research institutes
Skills
The skills an environmental scientist needs
- Fieldworksafe, systematic sampling in all weather
- Analytical chemistrytesting for pollutants and contaminants
- Data analysisspreadsheets, statistics and mapping software
- Report writingturning results into clear advice
- Regulationsknowing environmental law and standards
- Project managementjuggling sites, clients and deadlines
Route in
How to become an environmental scientist
- Earn a degree in environmental science or a related science such as biology, chemistry or geography
- Gain practical experience through placements, volunteering or summer fieldwork
- Consider a master's in a specialism such as contaminated land, water or environmental assessment
- Start as an assistant consultant or technical officer and work towards chartered status
Degrees people take
- Environmental science
- Ecology
- Chemistry
- Geography
- Biology
In the UK, an Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship is another way in, and experienced staff can apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status.
Practise for it
The quizzes and tools that fit
- Ecology quizzes
- Climate Change15 questions
- Biomes15 questions
- Biodiversity15 questions
- Microbiology quizzes
- Gut Microbiome15 questions
- Tuberculosis15 questions
- Protists15 questions
- Epidemiology quizzes
- Bias and Confounding15 questions
- Epidemiological Study Designs15 questions
- Measures of Disease Frequency15 questions
Also on biofideX
Next to it
Careers to weigh against it
Environment
Ecologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $82,220
- UK
- £24,000–£50,000
Environment
Conservation Officer
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $73,010
- UK
- £22,000–£34,000
Environment
Plant Scientist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $78,850
- UK
- £27,000–£60,000
Environment
Marine Biologist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $76,780
Research
Toxicologist
- Way in
- Master's
- US
- $103,410
Sources
Where the facts come from
Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.
- O*NET OnLine: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (19-2041.00)(CC BY 4.0)
- National Careers Service: Environmental Consultant(Open Government Licence v3.0)
Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
55 careers, side by side
Each with what it asks, how people get in, what it pays and the quizzes that fit it.
Explore the careers