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Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

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.

Also called: Environmental Health Officer (EHO), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist), Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Public Health Sanitarian, Sanitarian

Median pay in Greater Boston
$56,430
$27.13/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
200
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+0.6%
80 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate'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
$44,630$48,030$56,430$63,630$82,980

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

What you’d do

  • Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
  • Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
  • Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
  • Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
  • Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
  • Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.

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.

Moderate exposure52 of 100

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

  • AIOE 46
  • Language-model AIOE 43
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 68

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is moderate, and observed AI use so far is some. AI tools can help with recording test data and drafting reports, charts, and summaries. Collecting samples in the field, investigating spills, and preparing samples in the lab are hands-on work that AI tools do not do.

Likely to change

  • Recording test data and drafting reports
  • Making charts that summarize test results

Still relies on people

  • Collecting samples at field sites and spills
  • Preparing samples and talking with customers

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

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Watching conditions, following safety rules, and spotting leaks build on your pollution-monitoring work. This job pays about the same and has 3.1% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$940 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +3.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Inspecting and testing equipment to find problems uses your testing habits. It offers similar pay, 5.2% projected growth, and a high school diploma is typical.

    Pay difference
    +$3,240 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +5.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

    Sampling, testing, and checking items against specifications carry over from lab work. Pay is similar, but projected growth is lower at 1.2%.

    Pay difference
    +$1,780 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +1.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

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

22 programs near Boston (plus 7 graduate)

Related occupations

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