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Safety & Environmental career
Environmental Technician
Also called: Environmental Science Technician · Environmental Field Technician · Environmental Health Technician · Compliance Technician
What environmental technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an environmental technician do?
Environmental technicians monitor the environment and investigate pollution: collecting air, water and soil samples, running field tests, operating monitoring equipment and documenting results for environmental scientists and regulators. The median pay is $55,090 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about About 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +6.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$55,090$26.49/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+6.9%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year5,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainAbout 2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs36,400Employment, 2025
What environmental technicians do
Environmental technicians are the field and lab hands of environmental protection. They sample groundwater wells, streams and stormwater outfalls, monitor air quality and noise, inspect sites for compliance, run tests in labs, and keep careful records so results hold up to regulatory and legal scrutiny.
BLS lists an associate degree as the typical entry-level education, often in environmental science or a related technology. HAZWOPER training is common for field work on contaminated sites, and technicians who build strong documentation and sampling skills often advance into scientist or project manager roles.
Typical duties
- Collect air, water, soil and waste samples using approved methods
- Calibrate and operate field monitoring instruments
- Complete chain-of-custody forms and field logs
- Conduct stormwater, spill and compliance inspections
- Perform laboratory tests and prepare samples for labs
- Enter and organize data and help prepare reports
- Follow health and safety plans on contaminated sites
Work environment and schedule
Environmental technicians work in the field (at industrial sites, construction projects, landfills, rivers and remediation sites) and in labs and offices. Field work happens in all weather and may involve exposure to contaminants, requiring PPE.
Schedule: Usually full-time. Field schedules can include early mornings, travel and occasional overtime; emergency spill work can be unpredictable.
A day in the life
- Calibrate the water-quality meter (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen) and load sampling supplies.
- Drive to a monitoring well site, measure water levels and purge wells using low-flow methods.
- Collect groundwater samples, preserve and label bottles and pack them on ice.
- Inspect stormwater controls at a construction site and photograph a failing silt fence.
See a full day in the life of an environmental technician →
Environmental Technician salary
Half of environmental technicians earned more than $55,090 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,170 for the lowest 10% to $94,160 for the top 10%.
Full environmental technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an environmental technician
- Study science in high school
- Earn an associate degree
- Get field safety training
- Start as a field or lab technician
- Advance
BLS lists an associate degree as typical, often in environmental science, chemistry or a related technology. Some technicians have bachelor’s degrees, and field roles commonly require HAZWOPER training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an environmental technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Environmental sampling methods
- Field instrument calibration
- Chain-of-custody documentation
- Stormwater and compliance inspection
- Basic chemistry and lab techniques
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Written communication
- Independence in the field
- Integrity
All environmental technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Mix of outdoor field work and lab or office work
- Meaningful work protecting public health
- Entry with an associate degree
- Path to scientist, compliance or project manager roles
Cons
- Field work in bad weather and dirty conditions
- Exposure to contaminants requires strict safety
- Documentation must be meticulous
- Entry-level pay can be modest
Certifications and licenses
- OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour: Commonly required for work on contaminated or hazardous waste sites.
- Stormwater inspector certification: Such as CESSWI or state-specific stormwater inspector programs.
- DOT hazmat shipping training: Required when shipping certain samples or hazardous materials.
- First aid/CPR: Often required for field work.
Career path
- Environmental Technician: Collect samples and support projects.
- Senior Technician or Field Lead: Lead sampling events and train others.
- Environmental Scientist or Compliance Specialist: Interpret data and manage compliance.
- Project Manager: Run environmental projects and teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Environmental Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete a chain-of-custody form and calibrate a pH meter, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Environmental Technician vs. Hazmat Technician · Environmental Technician vs. Water Operator · Environmental Technician vs. Safety Specialist · Environmental Technician vs. Building Inspector
Environmental Technician FAQ
What degree do environmental technicians need?
BLS lists an associate degree as typical, often in environmental science or a related technology. Some employers hire bachelor’s graduates for technician roles.
Is environmental technician a field job?
Many roles mix field sampling and inspections with lab and office work. Some are mostly lab-based.
Do environmental technicians need HAZWOPER?
Technicians working on hazardous waste or contaminated sites generally need OSHA HAZWOPER training.
How much does an environmental technician make?
The median annual wage for environmental technicians was $55,090 ($26.49 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,170 and the highest 10% earned more than $94,160.
How long does it take to become an environmental technician?
Most people need about About 2 years of training. BLS lists an associate degree as typical, often in environmental science, chemistry or a related technology. Some technicians have bachelor’s degrees, and field roles commonly require HAZWOPER training.
Do you need a degree to be an environmental technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More environmental technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-4042 (Environmental science and protection technicians, including health).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Environmental science and protection technicians, including health (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.