Environmental Science Degrees


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Salaries For Degrees in Environmental Science

Those who majored in Environmental Science can be employed in a variety of jobs.  While no one can say with certainty what you personally will do with a degree in Environmental Science, our survey panel picked the following jobs as likely options:

The median salary for people with a degree in Environmental Science is $44,496.99.  The lifetime value of this degree is approximately $1,006,726.00.


Salaries are highly dependent on how skilled one is at negotiation, seniority in the field, your employer, area, and more besides. The estimates we show on these pages are just that: estimates. Your individual experience will likely vary.

Median salaries are approximately $60,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level positions for graduates with a bachelor degree range from $25,000 to $60,000. Federal government positions with the EPA, Army Corp of Engineers, and the Department of the Interior may offer salaries ranging from $35,000 to $45,000 for entry positions. Jobs in industry typically have starting salaries higher than government positions.

Where does this come from?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a unit of the US government, classifies all workers into some 800-odd occupational categories.  We paid a army of freelancers to solicit their view on what type of degree a holder of each type of job would likely have majored in.  For pairs which had a high degree of consensus, we created a link between the degree and the job.

From this, we calculated the average salary for Environmental Science degrees and converted it into a lifetime value.  We then compared it against other degrees at the same level of schooling (such as associate's, bachelor's, or master's), so that you can make informed educational and employment decisions.

What Can an Environmental Science Student Expect to Learn?

Environmental sciences seek to find solutions to problems facing the Earth and the people living on earth. They may investigate sources of pollution, seek new methods that have a smaller burden on the planet, look at the relationship between human health and modern industrial practices, or study the effects of mankind on the natural environment.

Because many of the problems facing the planet are extremely complex, crossing the boundaries between different areas of scientific study, environmental science degrees are an integrated science. A strong knowledge of chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, and physics is required. This interdisciplinary approach gives the environmental scientist the ability to see the world in its entirety, discovering and solving problems that create webs of effects throughout many different systems on the planet. Computer ability is required, as many problems are studied and solved using computer generated models of environmental systems.

Students wishing to major in environmental sciences should have a strong high school background and ability in upper level sciences and mathematics. Students need to have a proficiency in written communication, as this is an integral piece in transferring the data collected into easily interpreted reports. A deep love and commitment to the environment is commonly the motivating factor when choosing this career path. Not only do the students have a curiosity and love of science, but additionally, they have a driving need to seek solutions to modern problems facing the world.

Career Opportunities

Areas of specialization can lead to a career of:

  • Research and field work,
  • Teaching
  • Private consulting
  • Government positions
  • Industry positions
  • Legal work

Many environmental scientists work in the field collecting and interpreting data in the process of defining problems and seeking solutions.

Environmental scientists study the effects of industry, transportation, and energy production on these bodies of water. They frequently work with:

  • Water systems
  • Rivers
  • Wetlands
  • Lakes
  • Oceans

Wetland research and mitigation is a quickly growing field of study. Governments, from federal to local, hire scientists to monitor environmental health and devise solutions when problems arise. For regulations to be formulated, good scientific data is needed, and it is environmental scientists who collect, interpret, and advise lawmakers. Many industries work in close coordination with scientists in order to stay in compliance with laws regulating emissions, storage, and disposal of wastes.

Due to the many regulations and laws in place regarding the environment, the whole field of environmental law requires scientists who are well educated in both natural sciences and environmental law. Environmental advocacy groups, municipal water treatment facilities, American Indian reservations, and the transportation industries all require environmental scientists. The range of career choices continues to expand.

There is a predicted growth rate in environmental science positions in the next decade of 28% which is greater than the average rate for all career growth. As awareness of the need to maintain a healthy, functioning planet rises, so does the need for scientists at the forefront of solving the environmental problems facing the earth.

There are many entry positions available to students with a bachelor degree, but higher paying positions generally require a master degree or doctorate. Many entry-level positions have compensation available for further education.

Coursework for Environmental Science Degrees

Although many universities designate this major as environmental science, it may also be called environmental engineering or technologies. This is an interdisciplinary major with emphasis on the sciences including biology, ecology, geology, meteorology, chemistry, and physics. In these courses, students will learn about the interactions, both physical and chemical, between living organisms and the environment. They will learn how soils and watersheds are formed and affected by natural and manmade events. A deep understanding of chemistry and physics assure a complete view of the complex processes involved in the interactions between the environment and man made chemicals, development, and other factors.

In addition to science coursework, classes in

  • Computer modeling
  • Mathematics
  • Written and spoken communications

Environmental law, ethics, economics, and history courses introduce the vast realm of regulations in place to limit emissions, guide development, and provide clean water to municipalities. These courses study the complexity of balancing laws with economics. Because the degree is an interdisciplinary program, students work in close conjunction with academic advisors to tailor the coursework to their career goals.

Students may seek graduate degrees in environmental policy, advocacy, education, biology, health, resource management, and the urban environment. Many other areas of specialization are available. Graduate degrees open the doors to higher paying positions. The highly specialized expert in environmental sciences is in demand especially in industry and government.

Online Schools Offering Accredited Environmental Science Degree Programs

Online programs are offered from both online universities and distance learning options from traditional universities.

Oregon State University offers an environmental science undergraduate degree that combines online and in-class learning. A required year of biology with labs taken in person can be combined with distance learning for the remainder of the program.

Universities that offer complete programs online include the University of Phoenix and Ashford University. There are fewer online colleges that offer this course of study due to the invaluable experience that can only be gained in the labs and fieldwork. Some other schools that offer this type of program are:

Top Colleges & Universities Offering Campus-based Environmental Science Degrees

Hundreds of universities across the United States offer environmental science, technology, or engineering degrees. Students should discuss the programs with individual universities to find one that best fits the student’s area of interest and career goals.

Some of the more well-known schools which offer this program are:

  • Ohio State University
  • University of Central Florida
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Texas
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Florida
  • Indiana University
  • University of Washington

Due to the nature of science, with field and laboratory work, it is ideal to pursue a program at a traditional four-year university. Science courses have extensive experience in the field and lab in addition to lecture to prepare students for careers in an area that has a strong emphasis on data collection, research, and experimentation. The experience gained at a traditional school can be just the edge a student needs to start their career.

Famous People with Environmental Science DegreesFamous Environmental Scientist

Scientists tend to not gain popular fame; theirs is not a profession that puts them in the media spotlight. Without them, though, the world would be a much less livable place.

They toil to assure that the health of the planet is protected ensuring that humans will have a vibrant planet that supports their own health and wellbeing. This is surely more important in the long run than a brief moment of fame.

Some of the more heralded environmental scientists are Rachel Carson (pictured right and started the anti-pesticide movement in the 1960's), James Hansen (NASA scientist and global warming guru), and Barry Commoner (a long-time biologist who ran for President in 1980).

 

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