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Field sampling
Environmental Technician
Boots in the mud, data in the laptop.
Typical pay
$40k-$70k
How you get in
Associate or bachelor's in environmental science
Outlook
Growing with regulation
Environmental techs collect soil, water and air samples for compliance and cleanup projects. Half field work, half report writing.
A day in the life
- 6:00aLoad sampling gear, drive to site
- 8:00aCollect groundwater samples
- 11:00aAir monitoring readings
- 1:00pChain of custody paperwork, ship to the lab
- 3:00pBack at the office, data entry
- 4:30pDraft the site report
How to get in
Associate degree
Duration
2 years
Cost
$6,000-$20,000
Credential
AS in environmental science or technology
- Complete an environmental technology program
- Get your 40-hour HAZWOPER certification
- Apply to consulting firms and environmental contractors
- Expect heavy field work and travel your first few years
Bachelor's degree
Duration
4 years
Cost
$40,000-$120,000
Credential
BS in environmental science, geology or biology
- Complete a science degree with field methods coursework
- Intern with a consulting firm or state agency
- Enter as a field technician with a faster track to project work
- Move toward a professional geologist or engineer license later
HAZWOPER and hire in
Duration
1-2 weeks
Cost
$300-$1,200
Credential
40-hour HAZWOPER certification
- Take the 40-hour HAZWOPER course
- Apply to remediation contractors who hire on certification alone
- Learn sampling and monitoring on the job
- Add coursework later if you want past technician level
What people love
- · Mix of outdoor and indoor work
- · Entry with a 2-year degree
- · Meaningful environmental impact
What wears people down
- · Weather exposure
- · Travel and long field days
- · Heavy documentation