Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians, including health in the U.S. is $55,090 ($26.49 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $55,090
- Mean annual wage
- $60,800
- Median hourly wage
- $26.49
- Employment
- 34,670
34,670 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| 25th percentile | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Median (50th) | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| 75th percentile | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| 90th percentile | $94,160 | $45.27 |
Highest-paying states for environmental science and protection technicians, including health
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $67,160 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $66,240 | 140 |
| Connecticut | $66,120 | — |
| Minnesota | $65,320 | 450 |
| Rhode Island | $64,830 | 90 |
| New York | $62,400 | 1,960 |
| New Mexico | $62,330 | 500 |
| North Dakota | $61,430 | 140 |
| California | $61,220 | 6,010 |
| Colorado | $60,930 | 740 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $35,010 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $44,180 median annual wage
- Alabama: $45,000 median annual wage
- Delaware: $45,720 median annual wage
- Kentucky: $46,840 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
- Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Associate's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 6.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.8% |
| Some college, no degree | 23.9% |
| Associate's degree | 8.9% |
| Bachelor's degree | 37.7% |
| Master's degree | 5.7% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$90,150
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
- Chemists$91,240
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$100,580
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,280
- Biological Technicians$57,510
- School Psychologists$95,990
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.