The field of environmental health and safety (EH&S) is expected to grow as regulatory pressures, and a greater awareness of “green” issues in industry continue to increase. Businesses seeking cost-effective ways to comply with more complex regulations stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are spearheading this growth. Industry is also increasingly adopting voluntary EH&S standards which will require knowledgeable personnel to work in this growing industry.
Over the next several years, job opportunities for environmental science and protection technicians are expected to surge by 28% in the United States.
Annual salaries begin near $22,000 or more for entry-level positions and range as high as $60,000 for more experienced individuals.
Jobs include:
- Air pollution control technician
- Corporate safety manager
- Environmental safety coordinator
- Hazardous materials technician
- Hazardous waste remediation technician
- Laboratory technician
- Pollution prevention/recycling specialist
- Site assessment analyst
- Wastewater plant operator
- Water quality manager
1 Data source: www.careerinfonet.org.