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
+Collect and review water and soil PCR results from the coastal sampling campaign, map positive detections to…
Investigate sources of pollution
+Collect and review water and soil PCR results from the coastal sampling campaign, map positive detections to source sites, summarise likely pollution sources with supporting Ct values and chain-of-custody notes, and send the findings to the environmental lead by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Perform the scheduled calibration on the qPCR thermocycler: run the temperature verification kit, log…
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Perform the scheduled calibration on the qPCR thermocycler: run the temperature verification kit, log calibration curves and instrument tolerances, replace any out-of-spec sensors, and upload the signed calibration certificate to the equipment file before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting2
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Audit the lab's environmental testing SOPs and recent sample logs for regulatory gaps, cross-check waste…
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Audit the lab's environmental testing SOPs and recent sample logs for regulatory gaps, cross-check waste disposal records and emissions data, compile nonconformances and the required corrective timeline, and send the compliance summary to the quality manager by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review recent site risk assessments and laboratory data, propose practical corrective actions to stop the…
Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review recent site risk assessments and laboratory data, propose practical corrective actions to stop the identified contaminant pathway, include estimated timelines and resource needs, and present the recommendations to the remediation team on Monday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Update employee environmental health records with the latest exposure monitoring results, verify medical…
Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Update employee environmental health records with the latest exposure monitoring results, verify medical surveillance forms are complete, secure-sign the updated records, and notify occupational health that the files are current by COB today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Accessjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Develop testing procedures.
+Write a clear PCR testing SOP for our lab that details sample receipt, nucleic acid extraction steps, primer…
Develop testing procedures.
+Write a clear PCR testing SOP for our lab that details sample receipt, nucleic acid extraction steps, primer and probe preparations with concentrations, thermocycler settings, positive and negative control criteria, acceptance thresholds, and version/date for review by Friday.
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 molecular lab workflow and list three prioritized interventions to remove or mitigate…
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
+Inspect the molecular lab workflow and list three prioritized interventions to remove or mitigate hazards—ventilation fixes, reagent handling changes, and waste segregation—include estimated costs, responsible person (Lab Manager Sarah), and target completion dates.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
+Design a routine environmental monitoring program for airborne and surface contamination around PCR…
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
+Design a routine environmental monitoring program for airborne and surface contamination around PCR workstations: sampling locations, frequency, sample types, detection limits, data logging format, alert thresholds and monthly reporting schedule to Quality.
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 recycling and hazardous waste stream plan for the lab specifying waste categories, segregation…
Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
+Create a site recycling and hazardous waste stream plan for the lab specifying waste categories, segregation containers, labeling requirements, sharps and biohazard disposal procedures, vendor pickup schedule, and training dates for staff within three weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Schedule and script daily supervisory rounds for the bench team: task assignments, QC checks for runs, PPE…
Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Schedule and script daily supervisory rounds for the bench team: task assignments, QC checks for runs, PPE compliance, instrument maintenance checklist, and a brief escalation path to Lab Supervisor Maria when deviations occur.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Carry out a sanitary inspection checklist for the public testing area: water and sink functionality, surface…
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Carry out a sanitary inspection checklist for the public testing area: water and sink functionality, surface disinfectant stocks, hand hygiene stations, restroom cleanliness, and a punch list for facilities with photos and completion target within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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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 volumes and concentrations needed to neutralise the identified contaminant load in the…
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
+Calculate the reagent volumes and concentrations needed to neutralise the identified contaminant load in the purification loop, using the latest hazard data and the 10 L batch parameters, and log the justification and safety margins for review by Dr. Patel by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Survey and track environmental risks
+Map and rank current sampling points and incident reports to produce a rolling risk register for the site,…
Survey and track environmental risks
+Map and rank current sampling points and incident reports to produce a rolling risk register for the site, flagging high-priority zones and scheduling follow-up sampling with field techs for next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptions
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Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Compare last quarter's system readings to control limits, calculate trending statistics for temperature, pH…
Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Compare last quarter's system readings to control limits, calculate trending statistics for temperature, pH and bioburden, and highlight any excursions needing corrective action for the operations meeting on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support data collection and reporting
+Compile raw sample results, QC checks and chain-of-custody into a fortnightly compliance report, summarise…
Support data collection and reporting
+Compile raw sample results, QC checks and chain-of-custody into a fortnightly compliance report, summarise nonconformances with recommended follow-ups, and circulate to the lab manager and compliance officer by Monday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support health and safety protocols
+Review the current SOPs and incident logs, update the PPE and decontamination steps where gaps are found, and…
Support health and safety protocols
+Review the current SOPs and incident logs, update the PPE and decontamination steps where gaps are found, and distribute the revised health and safety brief to the team before the next shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft an addendum to the site pollution prevention plan that quantifies expected emissions reductions from…
Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft an addendum to the site pollution prevention plan that quantifies expected emissions reductions from proposed process changes, includes sampling metrics and responsibilities, and send it to the environmental manager for approval by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Identify the source of pollution
+Trace the contamination by mapping sample locations, compare PCR hit rates and Ct distributions across sites,…
Identify the source of pollution
+Trace the contamination by mapping sample locations, compare PCR hit rates and Ct distributions across sites, flag upstream suspects where Ct consistently drops below 30, and produce a ranked source list with confidence notes for the field team by Thursday.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six weeks of water and soil PCR results, normalise Ct values, run trend and correlation…
Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six weeks of water and soil PCR results, normalise Ct values, run trend and correlation checks against flow and rainfall records, then deliver a short report identifying statistically significant patterns and recommended follow‑ups by Monday.
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Laboratory techniques
+Document and standardise the extraction and qPCR workflow used this month, list deviations, evaluate…
Laboratory techniques
+Document and standardise the extraction and qPCR workflow used this month, list deviations, evaluate extraction efficiency and inhibition controls, then circulate a corrected stepwise protocol and retraining plan to the lab by next Wednesday.
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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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