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Environmental scientist

Also called geologist, soil scientist, field scientist

Environmental scientists identify problems and find solutions in order to minimize environmental hazards by performing analysis on samples such as air, water or soil. They advise on or develop environmental policies and aim to improve water supplies preservation and manage waste disposal sites. Environmental scientists perform environmental risk assessments and analyse the environmental impact of new solutions, construction sites or environmental changes ensuring the environmental regulations are followed.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Environmental protection professionals · ILO

What you'd do

Environmental protection professionals · ILO
  • Conducting research, performing tests, collecting samples, performing field and laboratory analysis to identify sources of environmental problems and recommending ways to prevent, control and remediate the impact of environmental problems
  • Assessing the likely impact that potential or proposed activities, projects and developments may have on the environment, and recommending whether such developments should proceed
  • Developing and coordinating the implementation of environmental management systems to enable organizations to identify, monitor and control the impact of their activities, products and services on the environment
  • Conducting audits to evaluate environmental impact of existing activities, processes, wastes, noises and substances
  • Assessing an organization's compliance with government and internal environmental regulations and guidelines, identifying violations and determining appropriate remedial action
  • Providing technical advice and support services to organizations on how best to deal with environmental problems in order to reduce environmental damage and minimize financial loss
  • Developing conservation plans
Analyse environmental dataAdvise on chemical use reductionConduct environmental site assessmentsCommunicate with a non-scientific audiencePromote the participation of citizens in scientific and research activities+ 43 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of environmental protection professionals, 7 a surplus.
Environmental protection professionals · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.38 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Developing conservation plans0.45
Conducting research, performing tests, collecting samples, performing field and laboratory analysis to identify sources of environmental problems and recommending ways to prevent, control and remediate the impact of environmental problems0.41
Developing and coordinating the implementation of environmental management systems to enable organizations to identify, monitor and control the impact of their activities, products and services on the environment0.40
Providing technical advice and support services to organizations on how best to deal with environmental problems in order to reduce environmental damage and minimize financial loss0.39
Conducting audits to evaluate environmental impact of existing activities, processes, wastes, noises and substances0.38
Assessing the likely impact that potential or proposed activities, projects and developments may have on the environment, and recommending whether such developments should proceed0.36
Assessing an organization's compliance with government and internal environmental regulations and guidelines, identifying violations and determining appropriate remedial action0.30

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for environmental protection professionals. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).