Environmental Sciences Career Opportunities

Oregon Tech ENV Alumnus, Jason Cameron (left), is a hydrologist for the Bureau of Reclamation (photo credit: Kathy Sale).

Graduate Success

Employed: 67%
Continuing Education: 33%
Average Graduate Salary: $45,000

Types of Environmental Sciences Jobs

Environmental scientists are hired for a variety of jobs because they have been trained in several disciplines including ecology, biology, chemistry, physics, field methods, and hydrology. Environmental scientists can be biotechnicians, environmental compliance officers, hydrology technicians, sustainability coordinators, energy analysts, geographic information system (GIS) specialists, and fisheries biologists. Environmental scientists are needed by a variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations to collect data and then to analyze that data in order to devise sensible and effective solutions to environmental problems.

Demand for Environmental Scientists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts increasing demands on water and natural resources. Because of conflicting demands on resources as well as an increase in complex environmental laws, it is expected that there will be a 25% increase in demand for environmental scientists between 2006 and 2016. The state of Oregon is expected to have a 11.9% increase in demand for environmental scientists as well as a 13.5% increase in demand for environmental science technicians. The workforce needs graduates with "advanced problem solving skills in sciences and technology" as well as experience in computer modeling, data analysis and integration, digital mapping, GPS, and geographic information systems (GPS). Oregon Tech Environmental Sciences graduates are perfectly positioned to meet these growing needs of the state and the nation.