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Public HealthGreen JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Environmental Scientist/ Specialist

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Annual openings

336

Median wage

$85,990

Typical education

A Bachelor's degree is expected for most Natural Resources jobs, but some Public Health jobs expect a Master's degree.

Growth 2026–2032

+10%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A Bachelor's degree is expected for most Natural Resources jobs, but some Public Health jobs expect a Master's degree.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Employer competency information

  • Refer above to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities information. Effective communication, such as writing reports and presenting ideas, is important to communicate research and findings.
One focus of these jobs is protecting the watershed from disruption or pollution, nourishing our agriculture production and natural resources and providing clean drinking water.
A lot more information, including opportunities to explore jobs and gain experience, are at Green Pathways under "The Field of Wildlife and Fisheries".
You could research the status and distribution of animal populations or animal habitat requirements, putting into practice solutions that improve fish and wildlife populations.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
  2. Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
  3. Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
  4. Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
  5. Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
  6. Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
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