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Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Also called: Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist

Compare with my current job (Survey Researchers)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$100,360
$48.25/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
2,270
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+3.5%
280 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$63,490$80,160$100,360$127,310$144,250

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
  • Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
  • Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
  • Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
  • Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
  • Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure80 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 72
  • Language-model AIOE 70
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 99

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has higher AI exposure, and observed AI use is at a "some" level. AI tools can help collect, organize, and analyze environmental data and draft reports. Taking field samples, advising agencies, and speaking with the public and decision makers still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Organizing and analyzing environmental data
  • Drafting reports and summaries of findings

Still relies on people

  • Collecting samples and observing sites in person
  • Advising agencies and speaking at public hearings

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

34 programs near Boston (plus 17 graduate)

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