Environmental scientists and specialists held about 94,600 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most environmental scientists and specialists were as follows:
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
23%
State government, excluding education and hospitals
22
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
13
Engineering services
10
Federal government, excluding postal service
6
Environmental scientists and specialists work in offices and laboratories. Some may spend time in the field gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions firsthand, but this work is much more likely to be done by environmental science and protection technicians. Fieldwork can be physically demanding, and environmental scientists and specialists may work in all types of weather. Environmental scientists and specialists may have to travel to meet with clients or present research at conferences.
Work Schedules
Most environmental scientists and specialists work full time. They may have to work more than 40 hours a week when working in the field.