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Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs External Link
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Air Traffic Controllers / 78.05% / 54.55% / ($137,380)
Anesthesiologist Assistants / 42.69% / 91.42% / ($130,020)
Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 40.74% / 32.13% / ($111,970)
Computer Systems Analysts / 56.64% / 31.42% / ($103,800)
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers / 99.66% / 38.99% / ($102,420)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 47.05% / 41.17% / ($101,800)
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives / 80.58% / 72.47% / ($101,750)
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians / 84.15% / 36.76% / ($101,740)
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors / 67.01% / 62.53% / ($99,710)
Video Game Designers / 45.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)
Radiation Therapists / 62.46% / 42.76% / ($98,300)
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers / 100.00% / 44.44% / ($94,580)
Nuclear Medicine Technologists / 68.68% / 42.91% / ($92,500)
Detectives and Criminal Investigators / 90.01% / 47.80% / ($91,100)
Police Identification and Records Officers / 75.14% / 39.28% / ($91,100)
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents / 86.55% / 44.63% / ($88,670)
Dental Hygienists / 75.18% / 69.49% / ($87,530)
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation / 100.00% / 32.59% / ($87,290)
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers / 86.62% / 40.47% / ($86,220)
Registered Nurses / 42.65% / 37.83% / ($86,070)
Critical Care Nurses / 35.71% / 60.71% / ($86,070)
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers / 97.19% / 71.33% / ($85,420)
Web Developers / 50.01% / 33.33% / ($84,960)
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 42.07% / 30.56% / ($84,570)
Subway and Streetcar Operators / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($84,270)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists / 86.96% / 47.82% / ($83,740)
Signal and Track Switch Repairers / 100.00% / 62.23% / ($82,710)
Chemical Plant and System Operators / 63.22% / 34.85% / ($80,030)
Online Merchants / 58.72% / 37.80% / ($79,590)
Respiratory Therapists / 87.90% / 70.85% / ($77,960)
Solar Energy Installation Managers / 93.70% / 75.35% / ($76,760)
Commercial and Industrial Designers / 32.08% / 32.87% / ($76,250)
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 57.51% / 56.99% / ($76,210)
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 60.66% / 49.63% / ($75,670)
Coroners / 40.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)
Funeral Home Managers / 93.51% / 44.25% / ($75,660)
Locomotive Engineers / 100.00% / 43.70% / ($74,770)
Fire Inspectors and Investigators / 95.76% / 36.53% / ($74,160)
Writers and Authors / 53.05% / 31.03% / ($73,690)
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists / 90.91% / 72.73% / ($73,500)
Photonics Technicians / 81.82% / 40.92% / ($73,500)
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 40.54% / 30.60% / ($73,460)
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians / 89.37% / 54.21% / ($73,410)
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers / 93.45% / 84.29% / ($72,280)
Customs and Border Protection Officers / 70.66% / 53.52% / ($72,280)
Transit and Railroad Police / 65.67% / 55.34% / ($72,250)
Wellhead Pumpers / 100.00% / 46.56% / ($71,830)
Boilermakers / 100.01% / 55.45% / ($71,140)
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters / 100.00% / 80.65% / ($71,130)
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers / 89.30% / 37.26% / ($70,530)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 57.47% / 46.57% / ($69,260)
Park Naturalists / 40.02% / 56.05% / ($68,750)
Surveyors / 52.63% / 30.00% / ($68,540)
Flight Attendants / 87.65% / 58.72% / ($68,370)
Energy Auditors / 75.86% / 31.04% / ($67,700)
Occupational Therapy Assistants / 96.81% / 82.25% / ($67,010)
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators / 100.00% / 73.61% / ($67,000)
Roof Bolters, Mining / 100.00% / 97.75% / ($66,660)
Film and Video Editors / 34.31% / 32.92% / ($66,600)
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians / 93.42% / 43.17% / ($66,170)
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 66.12% / 36.34% / ($65,630)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 32.71% / 31.47% / ($65,130)
Rail Car Repairers / 99.99% / 75.83% / ($65,030)
Forensic Science Technicians / 65.60% / 32.02% / ($64,940)
Crane and Tower Operators / 100.00% / 53.05% / ($64,690)
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers / 100.00% / 50.27% / ($64,640)
Physical Therapist Assistants / 84.16% / 80.80% / ($64,080)
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining / 100.00% / 74.51% / ($64,070)
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners / 97.15% / 72.23% / ($63,940)
Tapers / 100.00% / 36.42% / ($63,350)
Food Service Managers / 90.26% / 44.19% / ($63,060)
Real Estate Brokers / 46.07% / 36.44% / ($63,060)
Millwrights / 100.00% / 45.47% / ($62,980)
Structural Iron and Steel Workers / 94.98% / 58.18% / ($62,760)
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators / 100.00% / 46.65% / ($61,870)
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film / 93.10% / 69.17% / ($61,800)
Wind Turbine Service Technicians / 100.01% / 62.56% / ($61,770)
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas / 91.08% / 43.40% / ($61,770)
Electricians / 98.70% / 50.15% / ($61,590)
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 100.01% / 31.51% / ($61,550)
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians / 77.54% / 54.49% / ($61,550)
Tool and Die Makers / 100.00% / 33.04% / ($61,490)
Continuous Mining Machine Operators / 100.00% / 48.55% / ($61,420)
Commercial Divers / 94.97% / 57.15% / ($61,300)
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers / 82.57% / 36.28% / ($61,270)
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers / 84.35% / 40.06% / ($61,240)
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers / 93.54% / 46.15% / ($61,210)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 43.47% / 34.43% / ($60,970)
Surgical Technologists / 100.00% / 57.33% / ($60,610)
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity / 99.99% / 67.21% / ($60,170)
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses / 88.91% / 58.54% / ($59,730)
Brickmasons and Blockmasons / 99.99% / 37.22% / ($59,640)
Postal Service Clerks / 100.00% / 56.00% / ($59,570)
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 64.62% / 42.16% / ($59,300)
Computer User Support Specialists / 48.31% / 32.44% / ($59,240)
Insurance Sales Agents / 53.10% / 72.73% / ($59,080)
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors / 81.54% / 30.91% / ($58,920)
Sheet Metal Workers / 100.01% / 62.55% / ($58,780)
Hearing Aid Specialists / 43.26% / 42.87% / ($58,670)
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders / 98.23% / 50.55% / ($58,620)
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 62.46% / 38.40% / ($58,530)
Quality Control Analysts / 72.10% / 71.31% / ($58,350)
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 53.72% / ($58,210)
Firefighters / 96.50% / 63.76% / ($57,120)
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers / 100.00% / 81.33% / ($57,070)
Biofuels Processing Technicians / 100.00% / 71.47% / ($56,940)
Chemical Technicians / 56.26% / 47.59% / ($56,750)
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 54.34% / ($56,660)
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers / 100.00% / 41.35% / ($56,430)
Postal Service Mail Carriers / 100.00% / 98.83% / ($56,330)
Riggers / 100.00% / 64.67% / ($56,220)
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 53.07% / ($55,750)
Massage Therapists / 96.16% / 92.30% / ($55,310)
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators / 100.00% / 54.17% / ($54,890)
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers / 100.00% / 52.98% / ($54,850)
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers / 82.35% / 45.13% / ($54,690)
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers / 88.58% / 46.75% / ($54,580)
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers / 99.99% / 38.91% / ($54,320)
Real Estate Sales Agents / 90.47% / 80.95% / ($54,300)
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare / 83.48% / 33.51% / ($54,290)
Tire Builders / 99.47% / 76.18% / ($54,080)
Insulation Workers, Mechanical / 100.01% / 89.76% / ($53,920)
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks / 100.01% / 46.62% / ($53,900)
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers / 86.60% / 52.66% / ($53,550)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators / 100.01% / 94.65% / ($53,440)
Correctional Officers and Jailers / 100.00% / 77.83% / ($53,300)
Fallers / 100.00% / 44.59% / ($53,170)
Bailiffs / 99.99% / 61.67% / ($53,040)
Plasterers and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 58.97% / ($52,640)
Costume Attendants / 68.86% / 51.62% / ($52,370)
Forest and Conservation Technicians / 85.19% / 50.94% / ($51,880)
Desktop Publishers / 61.30% / 45.93% / ($51,290)
Airfield Operations Specialists / 49.14% / 50.32% / ($51,140)
Glaziers / 100.01% / 55.76% / ($51,100)
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers / 88.76% / 81.80% / ($51,030)
Machinists / 100.00% / 38.18% / ($50,840)
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers / 99.99% / 76.91% / ($50,720)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 31.83% / 68.18% / ($50,660)
Dredge Operators / 100.00% / 46.67% / ($50,440)
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers / 92.80% / 59.42% / ($50,270)
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs / 68.62% / 43.38% / ($50,270)
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 81.40% / ($50,250)
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining / 100.00% / 51.60% / ($50,050)
Roofers / 93.40% / 50.59% / ($50,030)
Transportation Security Screeners / 100.00% / 96.29% / ($50,020)
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($49,990)
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic / 99.88% / 51.19% / ($49,670)
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers / 100.01% / 39.94% / ($49,230)
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 46.96% / ($49,210)
Bridge and Lock Tenders / 100.00% / 65.00% / ($49,120)
Food Science Technicians / 52.50% / 67.10% / ($49,090)
Tree Trimmers and Pruners / 100.00% / 39.55% / ($49,070)
Tax Preparers / 76.20% / 47.61% / ($49,010)
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers / 99.05% / 39.51% / ($48,940)
Tile and Stone Setters / 100.00% / 50.34% / ($48,910)
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers / 100.01% / 63.18% / ($48,900)
Public Safety Telecommunicators / 95.26% / 68.18% / ($48,890)
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles / 99.99% / 52.68% / ($48,840)
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters / 95.84% / 52.32% / ($48,840)
Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 52.69% / 47.90% / ($48,790)
Automotive Body and Related Repairers / 99.99% / 70.29% / ($48,740)
Pourers and Casters, Metal / 100.00% / 83.26% / ($48,690)
Mechanical Door Repairers / 100.00% / 69.74% / ($48,650)
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators / 96.78% / 49.34% / ($48,550)
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters / 100.00% / 65.72% / ($48,480)
Paperhangers / 100.00% / 49.80% / ($48,460)
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons / 100.00% / 88.40% / ($48,410)
Sailors and Marine Oilers / 99.22% / 77.61% / ($48,400)
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers / 94.78% / 45.81% / ($48,380)
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers / 92.30% / 50.00% / ($48,380)
Cargo and Freight Agents / 69.25% / 74.53% / ($48,330)
Logging Equipment Operators / 100.00% / 75.24% / ($48,240)
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 98.92% / 65.45% / ($48,120)
Agricultural Inspectors / 87.88% / 45.67% / ($48,010)
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians / 100.00% / 48.27% / ($47,950)
Floor Sanders and Finishers / 100.00% / 30.71% / ($47,760)
Meter Readers, Utilities / 97.61% / 65.98% / ($47,720)
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 65.40% / 30.88% / ($47,710)
Painters, Construction and Maintenance / 98.15% / 48.09% / ($47,700)
Dental Laboratory Technicians / 92.45% / 35.15% / ($47,690)
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall / 100.00% / 81.05% / ($47,540)
Animal Breeders / 95.94% / 47.64% / ($47,540)
Carpet Installers / 100.00% / 31.43% / ($47,520)
Neurodiagnostic Technologists / 83.87% / 48.40% / ($47,470)
Patient Representatives / 61.52% / 43.37% / ($47,470)
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers / 84.34% / 32.98% / ($47,450)
Gem and Diamond Workers / 80.99% / 47.06% / ($47,450)
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks / 81.29% / 32.20% / ($47,440)
Models / 96.06% / 96.07% / ($47,430)
Travel Agents / 85.65% / 31.99% / ($47,410)
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance / 85.70% / 45.00% / ($47,390)
Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 61.75% / 36.81% / ($47,380)
Highway Maintenance Workers / 100.00% / 58.12% / ($47,360)
Pipelayers / 100.00% / 43.07% / ($47,330)
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers / 86.23% / 50.66% / ($47,280)
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.01% / 82.14% / ($47,250)
Home Appliance Repairers / 100.01% / 55.34% / ($47,170)
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 90.27% / 50.57% / ($47,110)
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 62.67% / ($47,040)
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 69.40% / ($46,990)
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners / 99.99% / 69.64% / ($46,910)
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks / 93.41% / 36.31% / ($46,900)
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance / 92.98% / 44.53% / ($46,860)
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers / 92.91% / 31.80% / ($46,850)
Parking Enforcement Workers / 98.56% / 96.81% / ($46,840)
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers / 99.58% / 37.01% / ($46,730)
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers / 87.75% / 44.39% / ($46,650)
Dental Assistants / 100.00% / 61.45% / ($46,540)
Rock Splitters, Quarry / 81.02% / 87.71% / ($46,530)
Geothermal Technicians / 100.00% / 47.90% / ($46,500)
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors / 61.91% / 52.38% / ($46,480)
Word Processors and Typists / 100.00% / 52.51% / ($46,450)
Motorboat Operators / 85.14% / 45.12% / ($46,420)
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners / 100.01% / 61.51% / ($46,410)
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 43.99% / ($46,340)
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks / 85.74% / 37.43% / ($46,110)
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 92.48% / ($46,100)
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers / 100.00% / 58.28% / ($45,850)
Semiconductor Processing Technicians / 99.68% / 76.98% / ($45,850)
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors / 100.00% / 40.92% / ($45,760)
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers / 99.63% / 30.05% / ($45,760)
Farm Labor Contractors / 99.87% / 47.64% / ($45,730)
Bus Drivers, School / 100.00% / 90.59% / ($45,660)
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders / 98.16% / 65.88% / ($45,640)
Log Graders and Scalers / 100.00% / 49.41% / ($45,600)
Billing and Posting Clerks / 98.04% / 34.59% / ($45,590)
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 67.28% / ($45,560)
Helpers--Extraction Workers / 100.01% / 89.58% / ($45,520)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 70.42% / ($45,350)
Self-Enrichment Teachers / 45.76% / 33.67% / ($45,330)
Construction Laborers / 100.00% / 83.68% / ($45,300)
Medical Equipment Preparers / 82.92% / 43.14% / ($45,280)
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers / 100.00% / 72.61% / ($44,980)
Medical Appliance Technicians / 72.03% / 43.86% / ($44,960)
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers / 99.99% / 93.70% / ($44,890)
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 59.63% / 40.27% / ($44,890)
New Accounts Clerks / 100.00% / 58.40% / ($44,630)
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 92.88% / 48.80% / ($44,620)
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 62.22% / ($44,510)
Endoscopy Technicians / 100.01% / 73.08% / ($44,490)
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 57.73% / 85.80% / ($44,490)
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators / 100.00% / 51.68% / ($44,470)
Fence Erectors / 99.99% / 88.21% / ($44,410)
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 99.55% / 92.73% / ($44,390)
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 99.70% / 84.76% / ($44,310)
Foundry Mold and Coremakers / 100.00% / 83.14% / ($44,300)
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive / 89.01% / 43.85% / ($44,280)
Bill and Account Collectors / 78.88% / 52.69% / ($44,250)
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 99.79% / ($44,240)
Opticians, Dispensing / 100.00% / 50.00% / ($44,170)
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics / 100.00% / 33.69% / ($44,140)
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation / 87.18% / 80.53% / ($44,070)
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers / 100.00% / 67.03% / ($44,030)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians / 89.60% / 70.52% / ($43,740)
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders / 99.99% / 80.47% / ($43,540)
Pest Control Workers / 100.00% / 92.46% / ($43,470)
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers / 100.01% / 40.93% / ($43,310)
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing / 99.03% / 48.34% / ($43,310)
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping / 99.49% / 87.75% / ($43,270)
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters / 100.00% / 35.91% / ($43,260)
Skincare Specialists / 78.15% / 70.98% / ($43,200)
Agricultural Technicians / 63.19% / 40.58% / ($43,180)
Precision Agriculture Technicians / 60.87% / 43.48% / ($43,180)
Animal Control Workers / 96.15% / 42.31% / ($43,170)
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners / 90.92% / 36.37% / ($42,800)
Upholsterers / 100.00% / 31.96% / ($42,730)
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 96.10% / 50.94% / ($42,670)
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.01% / 61.62% / ($42,610)
Cooks, Private Household / 100.00% / 42.31% / ($42,590)
Light Truck Drivers / 100.00% / 99.31% / ($42,470)
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters / 93.77% / 65.96% / ($42,470)
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 51.07% / ($42,420)
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 36.13% / ($42,400)
Medical Assistants / 82.53% / 81.37% / ($42,000)
Printing Press Operators / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($41,860)
Phlebotomists / 95.46% / 54.55% / ($41,810)
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians / 100.00% / 45.45% / ($41,780)
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($41,600)
Social and Human Service Assistants / 44.61% / 60.58% / ($41,410)
Photographers / 81.82% / 36.37% / ($40,760)
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks / 99.42% / 76.21% / ($40,610)
Office Clerks, General / 99.76% / 47.07% / ($40,480)
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan / 98.84% / 34.25% / ($40,300)
Pharmacy Technicians / 96.16% / 80.98% / ($40,300)
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers / 100.00% / 97.14% / ($40,230)
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators / 99.36% / 83.68% / ($40,200)
Etchers and Engravers / 99.99% / 41.69% / ($40,040)
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 65.83% / ($39,850)
Furniture Finishers / 100.00% / 45.95% / ($39,790)
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks / 89.25% / 85.10% / ($39,780)
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 96.57% / 85.26% / ($39,740)
Psychiatric Technicians / 68.09% / 75.29% / ($39,700)
Agricultural Equipment Operators / 99.99% / 61.03% / ($39,690)
Customer Service Representatives / 85.79% / 48.94% / ($39,680)
Tutors / 54.54% / 72.73% / ($39,580)
Helpers--Carpenters / 100.00% / 94.63% / ($39,380)
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists / 89.50% / 61.98% / ($39,360)
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 70.21% / ($39,340)
Library Technicians / 68.58% / 66.51% / ($39,310)
Conveyor Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 94.70% / ($39,260)
Machine Feeders and Offbearers / 100.00% / 73.86% / ($39,250)
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators / 100.00% / 80.06% / ($39,210)
Psychiatric Aides / 95.92% / 72.31% / ($39,160)
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers / 100.00% / 77.97% / ($38,980)
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand / 100.00% / 64.30% / ($38,940)
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 57.82% / ($38,870)
Animal Trainers / 98.25% / 44.20% / ($38,810)
Helpers--Roofers / 83.98% / 61.91% / ($38,620)
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($38,550)
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers / 100.00% / 65.46% / ($38,520)
Food Batchmakers / 99.99% / 83.20% / ($38,460)
Helpers--Electricians / 98.70% / 58.74% / ($38,340)
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 78.21% / ($38,330)
Bicycle Repairers / 100.00% / 49.78% / ($38,320)
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing / 98.28% / 68.80% / ($38,260)
Nursing Assistants / 87.36% / 81.52% / ($38,200)
Slaughterers and Meat Packers / 100.00% / 60.24% / ($38,160)
File Clerks / 91.72% / 39.40% / ($38,130)
Print Binding and Finishing Workers / 100.01% / 42.89% / ($38,100)
Telephone Operators / 100.00% / 45.37% / ($38,080)
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood / 100.00% / 70.09% / ($38,000)
Residential Advisors / 59.02% / 65.91% / ($37,950)
Data Entry Keyers / 100.00% / 48.23% / ($37,790)
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians / 91.17% / 67.45% / ($37,720)
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand / 100.00% / 68.49% / ($37,660)
Recycling and Reclamation Workers / 91.99% / 97.72% / ($37,660)
Butchers and Meat Cutters / 100.00% / 32.98% / ($37,650)
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 90.30% / 60.09% / ($37,650)
Tellers / 91.68% / 92.13% / ($37,640)
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer / 82.57% / 57.68% / ($37,450)
Counter and Rental Clerks / 79.75% / 74.93% / ($37,400)
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 55.21% / 66.44% / ($37,380)
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers / 81.67% / 52.64% / ($37,360)
Concierges / 90.91% / 63.65% / ($37,150)
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 76.39% / ($37,130)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education / 62.81% / 50.90% / ($37,130)
Security Guards / 98.04% / 80.52% / ($37,070)
Medical Transcriptionists / 100.00% / 66.02% / ($37,060)
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand / 100.00% / 58.19% / ($37,040)
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 60.78% / ($37,010)
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 80.85% / ($36,970)
Demonstrators and Product Promoters / 99.34% / 99.34% / ($36,970)
Occupational Therapy Aides / 98.20% / 75.70% / ($36,970)
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service / 100.00% / 96.52% / ($36,880)
Parts Salespersons / 86.38% / 35.11% / ($36,860)
Orderlies / 100.00% / 84.96% / ($36,830)
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service / 96.96% / 60.95% / ($36,750)
Couriers and Messengers / 100.00% / 83.57% / ($36,710)
Helpers--Production Workers / 100.00% / 85.58% / ($36,700)
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers / 90.54% / 56.27% / ($36,650)
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 74.10% / ($36,620)
Craft Artists / 86.96% / 34.79% / ($36,600)
Dietetic Technicians / 93.29% / 45.65% / ($36,520)
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers / 99.54% / 78.62% / ($36,440)
Stockers and Order Fillers / 99.71% / 85.41% / ($36,390)
Crossing Guards and Flaggers / 100.00% / 90.24% / ($36,370)
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers / 98.70% / 95.45% / ($36,300)
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers / 82.36% / 65.27% / ($36,230)
Pharmacy Aides / 100.00% / 79.83% / ($36,200)
Barbers / 97.06% / 74.52% / ($36,150)
Gambling Cage Workers / 100.00% / 57.48% / ($36,110)
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers / 100.00% / 98.78% / ($36,020)
Receptionists and Information Clerks / 100.00% / 47.01% / ($35,840)
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials / 80.95% / 57.14% / ($35,820)
Tire Repairers and Changers / 97.60% / 80.02% / ($35,790)
Cooks, Restaurant / 99.99% / 83.35% / ($35,780)
Passenger Attendants / 100.01% / 76.63% / ($35,620)
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators / 94.81% / 66.47% / ($35,620)
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 99.60% / ($35,530)
Driver/Sales Workers / 100.00% / 91.91% / ($35,420)
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 93.56% / ($35,340)
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria / 93.22% / 64.36% / ($35,320)
Motion Picture Projectionists / 89.90% / 90.17% / ($35,160)
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals / 99.77% / 54.31% / ($35,120)
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 75.92% / 78.11% / ($35,020)
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists / 100.00% / 60.71% / ($34,970)
Bakers / 100.00% / 78.42% / ($34,950)
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers / 100.00% / 95.83% / ($34,910)
Baggage Porters and Bellhops / 100.01% / 80.60% / ($34,840)
Packers and Packagers, Hand / 100.00% / 99.39% / ($34,830)
Floral Designers / 92.09% / 49.74% / ($34,690)
Telemarketers / 100.00% / 78.19% / ($34,480)
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse / 75.14% / 71.76% / ($34,470)
Sewing Machine Operators / 99.99% / 58.36% / ($34,440)
Recreation Workers / 37.90% / 40.14% / ($34,410)
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products / 100.00% / 87.28% / ($34,360)
Manicurists and Pedicurists / 100.00% / 83.60% / ($34,250)
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment / 99.99% / 82.18% / ($34,150)
Cooks, Short Order / 100.01% / 81.36% / ($34,130)
Library Assistants, Clerical / 95.43% / 72.18% / ($34,020)
Forest and Conservation Workers / 57.20% / 41.32% / ($33,940)
Funeral Attendants / 88.97% / 69.50% / ($33,850)
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants / 100.00% / 62.92% / ($33,820)
Retail Salespersons / 96.00% / 75.39% / ($33,680)
Physical Therapist Aides / 81.30% / 72.78% / ($33,520)
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants / 100.01% / 94.39% / ($33,450)
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 89.15% / 79.59% / ($33,450)
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers / 100.00% / 84.76% / ($33,230)
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant / 87.18% / 78.54% / ($33,110)
Parking Attendants / 99.04% / 97.27% / ($32,840)
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians / 99.99% / 95.80% / ($32,580)
Food Preparation Workers / 95.85% / 88.15% / ($32,420)
Gambling Dealers / 100.00% / 62.42% / ($32,240)
Sewers, Hand / 99.48% / 60.39% / ($32,240)
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials / 85.85% / 36.62% / ($32,240)
Waiters and Waitresses / 100.00% / 98.56% / ($31,940)
Bartenders / 98.88% / 57.35% / ($31,510)
Dishwashers / 100.00% / 100.00% / ($31,200)
Animal Caretakers / 86.63% / 65.83% / ($31,200)
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers / 100.00% / 93.53% / ($31,180)
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers / 100.00% / 95.07% / ($31,050)
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks / 95.41% / 84.96% / ($30,790)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers / 98.78% / 76.80% / ($30,380)
Childcare Workers / 91.29% / 49.53% / ($30,370)
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers / 98.34% / 88.28% / ($29,780)
Cashiers / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($29,720)
Fast Food and Counter Workers / 99.96% / 80.65% / ($29,540)
Baristas / 94.53% / 100.00% / ($29,540)
Shampooers / 100.00% / 93.40% / ($29,530)
Amusement and Recreation Attendants / 98.57% / 94.63% / ($29,390)
Cooks, Fast Food / 100.00% / 95.58% / ($29,260)
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop / 86.88% / 85.05% / ($29,220)
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners / 100.01% / 72.38% / ($29,170)
Dancers / 100.01% / 62.06% / (Salary Not Available)
Actors / 65.47% / 62.11% / (Salary Not Available)
Musicians and Singers / 40.26% / 34.04% / (Salary Not Available)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health.

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Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health" Career
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Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Description: 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.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
34,200
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
37,800
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
3,600 (10.6%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
4,700
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: 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.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Develop testing procedures.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Advise others on business or operational matters.
Advise others on matters of public policy.
Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
Analyze environmental data.
Analyze geological samples.
Assess compliance with environmental laws.
Calculate weights, volumes or other characteristics of materials.
Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
Collect environmental data or samples.
Collect samples for analysis or testing.
Confer with clients to exchange information.
Coordinate enforcement of laws or regulations.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Develop environmental research methods.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
Enforce rules or regulations.
Inspect areas for compliance with sanitation standards.
Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Inspect work environments to ensure safety.
Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.
Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Record research or operational data.
Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Set up laboratory or field equipment.
Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance.
Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters.
Activity: Advise others on legal or regulatory matters.
Activity: Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data.
Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data.
Activity: Assess compliance with environmental standards or regulations.
Activity: Collect environmental or biological samples.
Activity: Collect samples of products or materials.
Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.
Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures.
Activity: Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resources.
Activity: Develop research plans or methodologies.
Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities.
Activity: Direct security or safety activities or operations.
Activity: Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment.
Activity: Inspect facilities or equipment.
Activity: Investigate organizational or operational problems.
Activity: Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Activity: Maintain operational records.
Activity: Maintain safety or security.
Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment.
Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits.
Activity: Prepare specimens or materials for testing.
Activity: Present research or technical information.
Activity: Set up equipment.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Emerging Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Data base user interface and query software:
Microsoft Access
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Enterprise resource planning ERP software:
SAP software
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcGIS software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software:
Microsoft Project
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below):
FishXing
Flood modeling software
HEC-HMS
HEC-RAS
Scientific analysis software
Statistical software
Visual OTTHYMO
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk Softdesk
Data base user interface and query software:
Database software
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcInfo
ESRI ArcPad
ESRI ArcView
ESRI software
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Graphics software
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Map creation software:
Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
Trimble GPS Pathfinder Office
Video creation and editing software:
YouTube
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

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.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 68.2 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 22.7 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 31.8 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
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 Health Officer (EHO)
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 Technician (Environmental 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)
Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist)
Infectious Waste Technician (Infectious Waste Tech)
Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant)
Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician)
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
Public Health Sanitarian Technician (Public Health Sanitarian Tech)
Radon Inspector
Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech)
Sample Prep Tech (Sample Preparation Technician)
Sample Technician (Sample Tech)
Sanitarian
Sanitarian Specialist
Smog Technician (Smog Tech)
Smoke Tester
Soil Analyst
Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician)
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 Analyst
Water Quality Specialist
Water Quality Technician (Water Quality Tech)
Water Treatment Specialist
Related Careers to Consider

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health" occupation.






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