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
Lots of openings
10/100Openings come up often relative to the size of this field, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Environmental science and protection technicians, including health. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
Environmental techs collect soil, water and air samples for compliance and cleanup projects. Half field work, half report writing.
A day in the life
6:00a – 4:30p · 10 hours 30 min
- 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