Making Green: Good-Paying Jobs With an Environmental Focus

For some workers, every day is Earth Day. Did you know studying how to protect the planet often leads to a good paycheck, too? 

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that many scientists and engineers in green jobs had wages that were higher than the $45,760 median for all occupations in 2021. In addition, the bureau projects more than 30,000 openings overall each year, on average, from 2021 to 2031 for the 10 occupations shown below:

 

Atmospheric scientists study the weather and climate, including the effects of air pollution on the environment.

2021 median annual wage: $94,570

Number of jobs, 2021: 9,100

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 700

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical makeup of organisms. Their work may include investigating sources of renewable energy from plants or developing ways to clean up pollution.  

2021 median annual wage: $102,270

Number of jobs, 2021: 37,500

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 4,000

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree

 

Chemists research and analyze substances to develop new materials, including those that may be useful for controlling pollution. 

2021 median annual wage: $79,430

Number of jobs, 2021: 83,600

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 7,600

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Conservation scientists manage the use and development of natural resources. Their duties may include protecting wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystems or advising landowners on issues such as water quality and erosion.  

2021 median annual wage: $63,750

Number of jobs, 2021: 24,600

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 2,300

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Environmental engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties to prevent, control, and remediate environmental hazards. They work on problems such as waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution. 

2021 median annual wage: $96,820

Number of jobs, 2021: 44,000

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 3,400

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s

 

Environmental scientists conduct research to identify, abate, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards affecting the environment and the population. 

2021 median annual wage: $76,530

Number of jobs, 2021: 80,000

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 7,800

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition, structure, and processes, to learn about its past and present and to predict future events.

2021 median annual wage: $83,680

Number of jobs, 2021: 24,900

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 2,400 

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust. They analyze data on the environmental impacts of erosion, drought, and other problems related to water. 

2021 median annual wage: $84,030

Number of jobs, 2021: 6,800

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 600 

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Materials scientists research the structures and chemical properties of materials to develop new products, such as sustainable alternatives to existing processes for helping to reduce pollution.

2021 median annual wage: $100,090

Number of jobs, 2021: 7,000

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 600 

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Microbiologists study microscopic organisms, including bacteria, algae and viruses. They study how microorganisms interact with the environment and each other, such as the use of microbes to clean up contaminated areas.

2021 median annual wage: $79,260

Number of jobs, 2021: 20,800

2021–31 projected openings, annual average: 2,000

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Explore these and hundreds of other occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. You’ll find career exploration and assessment tools at the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET Resource Center. In addition, you can find more green careers by visiting O*NET’s Green Topics page. 

Patricia Tate is an economist in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.