How long does the training take?

Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

829 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Environmental science and protection technicians, including health: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Science · SOC 19-4042

$55,090US median pay, 2025

+6.9%Projected growth, 2025–35

5,300Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Associate's degree
Work in: environmental science and protection technicians, including health

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Environmental Science	CIP 03.0104	591
Sustainability Studies	CIP 30.3301	213
Science Technologies/Technicians, Other	CIP 41.9999	55
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0506	50
Geography and Environmental Studies	CIP 30.4401	39
Environmental/Environmental Engineering Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0507	34
Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician	CIP 15.0508	14
Environmental Geosciences	CIP 30.4101	13
Environmental Toxicology	CIP 26.1006	11
Environmental Chemistry	CIP 40.0509	6
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other	CIP 41.0399	1

See the 829 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about two years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do environmental science and protection technicians, including health make?: The US median is $55,090 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 829 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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