How much does a environmental science and protection technician make?
The median environmental science and protection technician in the United States earns $55,090 per year, about $26.49 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all environmental science and protection technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-4042.
Environmental science and protection technician salary range
Pay for environmental science and protection technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,170 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $94,160. The average (mean) wage of $60,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,170 | $18.35 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,820 | $22.03 | |
| Median (50th) | $55,090 | $26.49 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $69,910 | $33.61 | |
| 90th percentile | $94,160 | $45.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for environmental science and protection technicians, including health (SOC 19-4042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Environmental science and protection technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Environmental science and protection technicians earn the most in Washington at $67,160 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $35,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $67,160 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $66,240 | 140 |
| Connecticut | $66,120 | N/A |
| 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 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,650 | 1,180 |
| Montana | $60,550 | 70 |
| Nevada | $60,370 | 390 |
| Illinois | $59,930 | 980 |
| Massachusetts | $59,330 | 330 |
| Oregon | $58,950 | 440 |
| Utah | $58,240 | 270 |
| Arizona | $57,800 | 590 |
| Hawaii | $57,010 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $56,960 | 320 |
| Ohio | $56,070 | 770 |
| Idaho | $55,420 | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $55,290 | 380 |
| Alaska | $55,220 | 440 |
| Maryland | $55,090 | 580 |
| Vermont | $55,090 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $54,080 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $52,590 | 750 |
| New Jersey | $52,190 | 830 |
| Iowa | $52,020 | 470 |
| Maine | $51,820 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $51,630 | 1,100 |
| Michigan | $51,290 | 600 |
| Texas | $50,710 | 3,350 |
| Missouri | $50,340 | 380 |
| Wyoming | $49,440 | 150 |
| Virginia | $49,430 | 1,450 |
| Indiana | $49,020 | 780 |
| Florida | $48,840 | 2,090 |
| South Carolina | $48,700 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $48,390 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $48,090 | 360 |
| Georgia | $48,050 | 1,110 |
| Kansas | $47,880 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $46,840 | 560 |
| Delaware | $45,720 | 150 |
| Alabama | $45,000 | 410 |
| South Dakota | $44,180 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $35,010 | 250 |
State median wages for environmental science and protection technicians, including health (SOC 19-4042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for environmental science and protection technicians
The BLS projects employment of environmental science and protection technicians to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 36,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 38,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,300 openings a year for environmental science and protection technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an environmental science and protection technician
The typical entry-level education for environmental science and protection technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an environmental science and protection technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $67,160) and the lowest (Mississippi, $35,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,670 people work as environmental science and protection technicians in the United States. At $55,090 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Environmental science and protection technician salary FAQ
How much does an environmental science and protection technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an environmental science and protection technician is $26.49. The middle half of environmental science and protection technicians earn between $22.03 and $33.61 per hour.
What is the highest environmental science and protection technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of environmental science and protection technicians earn more than $94,160 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an environmental science and protection technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an environmental science and protection technician is $55,090. The average (mean) wage of $60,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an environmental science and protection technician a well paid job?
At $55,090 a year, an environmental science and protection technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,670 people work as environmental science and protection technicians in the United States.
Which state pays environmental science and protection technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for environmental science and protection technicians at $67,160 a year. Nebraska ($66,240) and Connecticut ($66,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an environmental science and protection technician a good career?
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an environmental science and protection technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for environmental science and protection technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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