What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in the U.S. earn more than $55,090 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,170 and $94,160. About 34,670 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$55,090typical pay / year
34,670people in this work
$94,160+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing1
Investigate sources of pollution
+Trace the pollution incident upstream of Mill Road: collect water and sediment samples at three locations,…
Investigate sources of pollution
+Trace the pollution incident upstream of Mill Road: collect water and sediment samples at three locations, run ICP and TOC analyses in the lab, compare results to baseline, map likely sources, and prepare a succinct report for the environmental manager by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESRI ArcGISESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Perform full maintenance and calibration of the gas chromatograph and pH meter today: log last calibration…
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Perform full maintenance and calibration of the gas chromatograph and pH meter today: log last calibration dates, run the two-point standards, record drift and adjustment values, replace worn seals on the autosampler, and file the signed calibration certificate in the equipment folder before shift end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting3
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Compile this month’s discharge and soil testing results, cross-check concentrations against the water quality…
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Compile this month’s discharge and soil testing results, cross-check concentrations against the water quality and air emission limits, flag any exceedances with the sample IDs and dates, draft a one-page compliance summary for the environmental manager, and attach lab reports to the facility compliance folder by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review the elevated lead and nitrate results from Site B, calculate the rolling mean and potential background…
Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review the elevated lead and nitrate results from Site B, calculate the rolling mean and potential background contribution, propose three prioritized corrective actions with expected concentration reductions and cost notes, and send the recommendation memo to the remediation lead by Tuesday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Update and maintain the occupational health log for the lab: enter the latest exposure readings, link each…
Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Update and maintain the occupational health log for the lab: enter the latest exposure readings, link each entry to the worker ID and sample event, generate the monthly summary showing any excursions above action levels, and save the secured record in the health records directory before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Identify the source of pollution
+Trace the pollutant by mapping sample concentrations from boreholes A through H, prioritise compounds benzene…
Identify the source of pollution
+Trace the pollutant by mapping sample concentrations from boreholes A through H, prioritise compounds benzene and lead, overlay suspected discharge points and storm drains, list the most likely source with confidence and next three verification tests by Tuesday morning.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six months of water and soil results, flag exceedances against regulatory limits, calculate…
Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six months of water and soil results, flag exceedances against regulatory limits, calculate trends and summary statistics for heavy metals and VOCs, and produce a one‑page table of hotspots for the regulator by COB Friday.
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Laboratory techniques
+Draft a lab procedure for sampling chain-of-custody and analysis of dissolved metals using the current ICP…
Laboratory techniques
+Draft a lab procedure for sampling chain-of-custody and analysis of dissolved metals using the current ICP method, include instrument calibration steps, QC blanks and acceptance criteria, and a checklist the analyst must sign before runs start.
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Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
+Calculate the reagent types and precise gram or millilitre quantities needed to neutralise identified…
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
+Calculate the reagent types and precise gram or millilitre quantities needed to neutralise identified pathogens in the east-side filtration loop, target 99.9% kill rate, show safety margins, and produce a labelled batch worksheet for the night shift before 18:00 tomorrow.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Survey and track environmental risks
+Compile the site risk register from last quarter’s field sheets and lab logs, map priority hazards by…
Survey and track environmental risks
+Compile the site risk register from last quarter’s field sheets and lab logs, map priority hazards by likelihood and consequence, flag sites with rising contaminant trends, and circulate the summary to Jenna in compliance and Tom in operations by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESRI ArcGISjob descriptions
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Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Run the weekly performance check on the bioreactor and carbon filters using the latest sensor and lab…
Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Run the weekly performance check on the bioreactor and carbon filters using the latest sensor and lab results, calculate removal efficiencies and control chart limits, note any excursions and draft corrective actions for the operations morning meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support data collection and reporting
+Prepare the data collection pack for next week’s sampling: standardised sample labels, chain-of-custody log,…
Support data collection and reporting
+Prepare the data collection pack for next week’s sampling: standardised sample labels, chain-of-custody log, field data sheet template, and a consolidated reporting template that auto-populates summary tables for the monthly compliance report.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support health and safety protocols
+Update the lab health and safety brief: list current chemical hazards and PPE required, record recent…
Support health and safety protocols
+Update the lab health and safety brief: list current chemical hazards and PPE required, record recent incident learnings, refresh emergency contacts and the permit-to-work checklist, then distribute to all lab staff before Monday shift change.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft the pollution prevention plan addendum: quantify waste source reductions from recent trials, propose…
Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft the pollution prevention plan addendum: quantify waste source reductions from recent trials, propose three practicable control measures with estimated costs and expected emission cuts, and send to Maria in environmental planning for review by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Develop testing procedures.
+Write a clear, step-by-step testing procedure for routine analysis of stormwater for pH, conductivity,…
Develop testing procedures.
+Write a clear, step-by-step testing procedure for routine analysis of stormwater for pH, conductivity, nitrate and total suspended solids using the lab’s standard benchtop instruments, include acceptance criteria, QA checks, sample hold times and the person responsible for each step by next Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
+Inspect the production floor, list each unsafe condition I found with location, likely source, immediate…
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
+Inspect the production floor, list each unsafe condition I found with location, likely source, immediate temporary control, and a preferred permanent fix, then rank the items by risk and draft a short memo to Facilities and the safety officer requesting actions by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
+Design a monitoring program for onsite air and surface contamination for volatile organics and particulate…
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
+Design a monitoring program for onsite air and surface contamination for volatile organics and particulate matter: specify sample types, frequency, detection limits, field QA, chain of custody, data evaluation triggers for escalation, and budgeted monthly sample counts for the next quarter.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
+Create a site hazardous waste stream program listing each waste type from our lab, containerisation and…
Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
+Create a site hazardous waste stream program listing each waste type from our lab, containerisation and labelling rules, storage locations, training required for handlers, weekly pickup schedule and the permit or disposal paperwork each stream needs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Prepare a one-page daily lab duty roster and a short checklist of critical activities I expect my team to…
Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Prepare a one-page daily lab duty roster and a short checklist of critical activities I expect my team to complete each shift, assign names to roles for this week, and include escalation steps if a QC sample fails.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Carry out a sanitary inspection of the public restroom and cafeteria areas, record each hygiene or pest issue…
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Carry out a sanitary inspection of the public restroom and cafeteria areas, record each hygiene or pest issue with photo note, measure hot water temperature at sinks, and produce a short corrective action list to give to Maintenance and Catering today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses