Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.

Also called: Environmental Health Officer (EHO), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist), Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Public Health Sanitarian, Sanitarian, Sanitarian Specialist, Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician), Water Quality Analyst, Water Quality Specialist, Air Analyst, Air Pollution Auditor, Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech), Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician), Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech), Asbestos Microscopist, Biological Lab Tech (Biological Laboratory Technician), Biotechnician, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Chemical Lab Tech (Chemical Laboratory Technician), Compliance Technician (Compliance Tech), Decontamination Technician (Decontamination Tech), Emergency Spill Response Technician (Emergency Spill Response Tech), Energy and Conservation Technician (Energy and Conservation Tech), Environmental Analyst, Environmental Compliance Technician (Environmental Compliance Tech), Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech), Environmental Lab Tech (Environmental Laboratory Technician), Environmental Monitoring Technician (Environmental Monitoring Tech), Environmental Property Assessor, Environmental Sampling Technician (Environmental Sampling Tech), Environmental Science Technician (Environmental Science Tech), Environmental Services Associate, Environmental Services Technician (Environmental Services Tech), Environmental Test Technician (Environmental Test Tech), Facility Environmental Technician (Facility Environmental Tech), Field Environmental Technician (Field Environmental Tech), Field Sampling Technician (Field Sampling Tech), Field Technician, Ground Water Monitoring Technician (Ground Water Monitoring Tech), Ground Water Technician (Ground Water Tech), Hazardous Materials Analyst (Hazmat Analyst), Hazardous Materials Technician (Hazardous Materials Tech), Hazardous Waste Technician (Hazardous Waste Tech), Industrial Ecology Technician (Industrial Ecology Tech), Infectious Waste Technician (Infectious Waste Tech), Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant), Lead-Based Paint Technician (Lead-Based Paint Tech), Leaking Underground Storage Tank Remover (LUST Remover), Materials Exchange Specialist, Microbiological Lab Technician (Microbiological Laboratory Technician), Mobile Lab Technician (Mobile Laboratory Technician), Monitoring Technician (Monitoring Tech), Natural Resources Technician (Natural Resources Tech), Pollution Control Technician (Pollution Control Tech), Prep Technician (Preparation Technician), Process Environmental Technician (Process Environmental Tech), Public Health Sanitarian Technician (Public Health Sanitarian Tech), Radon Inspector, Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech), Sample Prep Tech (Sample Preparation Technician), Sample Technician (Sample Tech), Smog Technician (Smog Tech), Smoke Tester, Soil Analyst, Solid Waste Analyst, Solid Waste Landfill Technician (Solid Waste Landfill Tech), Solid Waste Technician (Solid Waste Tech), Surface Water Technician (Surface Water Tech), Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Technician (TSDF Technician), Waste Minimization Technician (Waste Minimization Tech), Waste Specialist, Wastewater Analyst, Water Analyst, Water Quality Technician (Water Quality Tech), Water Treatment Specialist

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Science
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Mathematics
Active Learning
Systems Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (68.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

45,820–69,910 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 19-4042.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (68.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health