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.
Fixing1
Investigate sources of pollution
+Trace the foul odour reported at Riverside Park to potential sources, sample upstream discharges, compare…
Investigate sources of pollution
+Trace the foul odour reported at Riverside Park to potential sources, sample upstream discharges, compare chlorine and oil indicators to baseline, photograph suspect outlets, and send a preliminary findings note to the county regulator and the site manager by end of day.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting3
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Calibrate the handheld spectrometer and dissolved oxygen probe before the morning survey, run the two-point…
Maintain and calibrate testing equipment
+Calibrate the handheld spectrometer and dissolved oxygen probe before the morning survey, run the two-point standard checks, log calibration values in the equipment ledger, replace the DO membrane if drift exceeds 5%, and notify maintenance if repairs are needed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Inspect the Riverside chemical discharge site, compare measured pH, metal and nutrient readings against the…
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
+Inspect the Riverside chemical discharge site, compare measured pH, metal and nutrient readings against the Environmental Protection limits, note the non-compliances, and send a signed compliance notice to the site manager by next Wednesday after verifying chain-of-custody records.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptionsO*NET
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Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review the contaminated soil and groundwater report from Broadstone Industrial Park, prioritise risks,…
Recommend corrective actions for environmental issues
+Review the contaminated soil and groundwater report from Broadstone Industrial Park, prioritise risks, propose three time-bound corrective actions including excavation, containment or monitored natural attenuation, and draft the enforcement recommendation to the pollution control manager for decision by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Consolidate recent lead, nitrate and legionella test results for the Northside properties into the health…
Maintain health records related to environmental health
+Consolidate recent lead, nitrate and legionella test results for the Northside properties into the health record file, update exposure histories, flag any exceedances for follow-up sampling within ten days, and archive the updated file in the central record system.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Identify the source of pollution
+Map recent water and soil sample locations, overlay the factory discharge point and sewer network, flag…
Identify the source of pollution
+Map recent water and soil sample locations, overlay the factory discharge point and sewer network, flag likely contamination plumes, list top three candidate sources with confidence levels, and draft the inspection notice to the site manager for Friday enforcement visit.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISESCO
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Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six months of sample results, calculate trends and exceedances by parameter and location,…
Analyse environmental data
+Compile the last six months of sample results, calculate trends and exceedances by parameter and location, highlight hotspots exceeding statutory limits, and produce a one-page summary for the regional public health team meeting on Wednesday.
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Laboratory techniques
+Prepare the chain of custody and sample processing checklist, list required reagents and detection limits for…
Laboratory techniques
+Prepare the chain of custody and sample processing checklist, list required reagents and detection limits for the heavy metals and bacteria tests, and schedule bench time with the lab for Monday morning so results return within 48 hours.
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Develop testing procedures.
+Draft step-by-step field and lab procedures for testing site groundwater for benzene and lead, including…
Develop testing procedures.
+Draft step-by-step field and lab procedures for testing site groundwater for benzene and lead, including sample chain-of-custody, detection limits, QA/QC checks, and turnaround times so the contractor can begin sampling next Monday.
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.
+Write clear written controls for the food court at Central Market to eliminate mould and pest hazards—require…
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
+Write clear written controls for the food court at Central Market to eliminate mould and pest hazards—require daily cleaning tasks, a monthly pest contract, temperature logs for fridges, and a two-week rectification deadline for vendors who fail inspection.
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 six-month air and surface monitoring program for the industrial estate to track PM2.5, VOCs and…
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
+Design a six-month air and surface monitoring program for the industrial estate to track PM2.5, VOCs and noise, specifying monitor locations, sampling frequency, data validation rules and reporting cadence to the council by the 10th of each month.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
+Produce a facility recycling and hazardous waste stream plan for the hospital that separates sharps,…
Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
+Produce a facility recycling and hazardous waste stream plan for the hospital that separates sharps, pharmaceuticals, liquids and general waste, sets weekly collection routings, vendor pickup windows and staff training dates for next quarter.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Set a two-week lab work schedule and supervision plan for the environmental lab team, assign bench…
Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
+Set a two-week lab work schedule and supervision plan for the environmental lab team, assign bench supervisors, list required QC tests each shift, and note PPE and reporting expectations before the new sampling campaign starts.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Prepare an inspection checklist and follow-up letter for the municipal pool: record cleanliness, pool…
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
+Prepare an inspection checklist and follow-up letter for the municipal pool: record cleanliness, pool chemistry, sanitary fittings, and staff hygiene; give action items for failures with a 48-hour remedy window and a reinspection date.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*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 chemical doses and application schedule to disinfect the wastewater clarifier at Riverside…
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
+Calculate the chemical doses and application schedule to disinfect the wastewater clarifier at Riverside Plant, listing quantities by compound, contact time, safety margins and disposal steps so procurement can order and operators can dose on Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Survey and track environmental risks
+Survey the industrial corridor from 3rd Street to Mill Road, log and map active contamination sources and…
Survey and track environmental risks
+Survey the industrial corridor from 3rd Street to Mill Road, log and map active contamination sources and exposure pathways, prioritise sites by human health risk and produce an annotated site list for the regional incident team by Thursday.
The tools that do the workESRI ArcGISjob descriptions
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Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Compile the last six months of effluent and air monitoring into a performance dashboard, flag any excursions…
Monitor performance of environmental systems
+Compile the last six months of effluent and air monitoring into a performance dashboard, flag any excursions against permit limits, note likely causes and recommend corrective actions for the operations manager before the monthly compliance meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support data collection and reporting
+Draft a data collection template and instructions for the field team to capture microbiology, pH, turbidity…
Support data collection and reporting
+Draft a data collection template and instructions for the field team to capture microbiology, pH, turbidity and flow at five sampling points, then prepare the weekly compliance report combining their submissions and lab results for Friday distribution.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Support health and safety protocols
+Update the site health and safety checklist to include respirator fit checks, chemical spill steps and entry…
Support health and safety protocols
+Update the site health and safety checklist to include respirator fit checks, chemical spill steps and entry permits, then distribute the revised checklist and a one-page change summary to supervisors for implementation on Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft a pollution prevention plan for the transfer yard that sets source controls, monitoring targets, a…
Aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans
+Draft a pollution prevention plan for the transfer yard that sets source controls, monitoring targets, a spill response flow and a two-year emissions reduction trajectory for the regulator and site management review next month.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Says who?
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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