If having a successful career is your aspiration while also helping the environment may seem like your dream, then it’s possible with environmental science jobs. This article extensively discussed some jobs that help the environment and pay well also.
Environmental Science careers that study natural environments are in high demand as more people and businesses begin to see the importance of conservation and sustainability.
Issues such as air pollution, climate change, land use management, and urbanization have increased the demand for professionals in environmental fields.
The earth’s population is growing, so organizations are hiring environmental scientists to study how this growth affects the planet. Some parts of the world need water conservation experts and hydrologists to provide ideas for access to clean water, while food scientists can find work trying to provide nutritious food for the growing population of the world.
Furthermore, in as much as a six-figure salary is the first thing that comes to your mind when considering an environmental career, there is a need for you to consider and take a deep thought on how you are going to play your role in sustaining the environment.
Therefore, if you are passionate about sustainable strategies and advocate for a greener world while considering your financial prowess, why not take it one step further and consider pursuing one of these environmental careers?
Table of Contents
Jobs that help the Environment and Pay Well
Thinking about pursuing an environmental career? Here are 10 jobs t that help our environment as well as do good to your bank account.
- Environmental Engineer
- Conservation Scientist
- Geologist
- Urban Planner
- Environmental Planner
- Sustainability Engineer
- Environmental Manager
- Environmental Director
- Environmental Remediation Engineer
- Environmental Lawyer
1. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers protect our environment by making use of their expertise in improving conditions for global issues like air pollution, ozone depletion, and acid rain. They improve public health by overseeing waste and pollution control policies.
They routinely test air quality, water resources, and industrial equipment to ensure standards are met and maintained. Environmental engineer provides real-world solutions to problems caused due to climate change.
They mainly focus on developing and constructing sustainable architecture, such as green, water-efficient buildings. Environmental engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering.
Many go on to earn a master’s degree as well. Environmental engineers can work in engineering firms, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
Environmental engineers are just one example of the many environmental jobs that pay well, with an average salary of $97,500 annually.
2. Conservation Scientist
Conservation Scientists play a vital role in managing forests, parks, and other resources. Conservation scientists have a passion for nature. They spend much time in the field monitoring the forest and conservation practices to ensure that workers and companies are compliant with regulations.
They also establish forest management plans and assist in preventing and reducing forest fires. Conservation scientists may work for a variety of organizations with the government included.
At least a bachelor’s degree is required for many conservation scientists or specialist jobs, most often in biology or forestry-related fields. They earn an average salary of $61,340 annually.
3. Geologist
Geologists Are one important profession that helps the environment without leaving the professionals with a good take home. Geologists are individuals who study rock formations to develop valuable insights into the earth’s history, pollution factors, and natural groundwater resources.
They also conduct tests to determine the likelihood of certain natural disasters like landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, or earthquakes. Furthermore, geologists can work for a variety of different employers including educational institutions, energy or mining companies, construction companies, and government agencies.
To become a geologist, individuals need to earn a bachelor’s degree in geology or environmental science. They earn an average salary of $72,046 annually.
4. Urban Planner
Urban planners play an important role in communities both large and small. Urban planners focus on infrastructure and community, essentially looking out for the best ways to accommodate population growth.
They create plans for land use, including infrastructures such as roads, power lines, and parks. Urban planners play a key role in population and community growth.
With limited land at their disposal, planners have to come up with creative solutions alongside local officials to best meet the needs of the community considering the social, economic, and environmental impact.
Also, Urban planners oversee land and review proposals about how to best use the land to develop and enhance communities. They conduct land surveys to determine potential environmental factors that could affect building projects.
Urban planning is one of the top green careers in demand and is growing much faster than average, with an average salary of $73,050 annually.
To become an urban planner, individuals should have a master’s degree in urban planning followed by a few years of professional experience.
5. Environmental planner
Environmental planners work for government agencies to ensure that construction projects don’t negatively affect the environment. They review plan blueprints or proposals and meet with contractors to agree on alternative building materials or practices.
Environmental planners may also collaborate on green building projects to promote sustainability.
They earn an average salary of $76,693 annually. To qualify for an environmental planning role, individuals earn bachelor’s degrees in either environmental science, biology, or ecology.
6. Sustainability Engineer
As sustainability engineers design and develop products and sustainable systems for homes, businesses, and other types of infrastructure like manufacturing plants and water treatment facilities.
These systems designed are to meet certain sustainability specifications such as the BREEAM standards for sustainable building or LEED building certifications.
Their specific responsibilities differ based on the industry they are in, such as construction, agriculture, or manufacturing. Sustainability engineers typically work as a team with different types of engineers to come up with ideas, test prototypes and oversee the construction process.
For example, some engineers work in manufacturing, such as designing low-energy light bulbs or electric vehicles. While others work in civil engineering where they coordinate and manage large-scale sustainable building projects, including residential and commercial buildings, public parks, or industrial plants.
Sustainability engineers earn an average salary of $95,357 annually. To perform their duties well Sustainability engineers should earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering.
7. Environmental Manager
The environmental manager oversees environmental health projects for an organization or government agency. They ensure that their organization is completely compliant with all federal and state environmental regulations.
They review environmental laws and regulations for a particular area and audit company practices to determine whether they adhere to those guidelines. They also manage a team of specialists to delegate tasks and collect data on air quality, water quality, or pollution levels.
As an environmental manager, you create and implement programs to ensure this compliance. Other job duties include confirming that all staff at the organization carries out these regulations correctly.
Environmental managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and have a few years of professional experience in an environmental role. They earn an average salary of $115,000 annually.
8. Environmental Director
A director of environmental services ensures the cleanliness and safety of an organization’s facilities and manages the maintenance and cleaning staff. They oversee the environmental performance of an organization.
Their duties include the development and implementation of environmental policies and procedures. They hire, schedule, train, and evaluate staff for researching, developing, and implementing strategies to improve efficiency and outcomes, and conducting inspections of the facility to make sure it meets environmental quality standards.
They often oversee an environmental department and support the allocation of funding towards compliance and sustainability needs. They may need to provide education or outreach to ensure that all procedures are followed.
The qualifications for a career as director of environmental services are a bachelor’s degree in facilities management or hospitality management, along with several years of experience in the environmental services field. They earn an average salary of $140,500 annually.
9. Environmental Remediation Engineer
An environmental remediation engineer helps remove contaminants from groundwater, surface water, and soil to bring the environment back to its natural state.
As an environmental remediation engineer, the job duties include collaborating with other engineers to develop removal plans for various pollutants, visiting spill sites, and overseeing removal and remediation efforts.
Primary responsibilities are to monitor the levels of contaminants and protect the ecosystem, animal habitats, and public health. They earn an average salary of $105,000 annually.
10. Environmental Lawyer
Environmental lawyers work for law firms that focus on sustainability, renewable energy, and climate change; they can also work for a government agency. These attorneys might challenge a business that broke certain sustainability guidelines.
Because of the mounting issue of climate change and environmental protection, there is a need for more environmental lawyers. Their job is to uphold regulations and advocate for new policies related to everything from animal welfare and biodiversity to global warming and waste management.
Environmental lawyers represent the people, businesses, and the earth as a whole. This type of lawyer is one of the top-paying environmental jobs. They earn an average salary of $126,250 annually.
To qualify for this profession, after completing a bachelor’s degree, aspiring environmental lawyers must continue to law school. Post-law school, the bar exam is a requirement to become licensed in their state.
It is also advisable for law students to take on internships or accept a position at a private practice
Conclusion
Aside from having a passion to save the earth, there is also room for your passion to be hugely rewarded. To that effect, I do hope this article has served as a disclosure to some careers you would like to choose if you are such an individual who wants to salvage the planet, without your financial strength reducing.
It is not bad for you to help the environment and also be highly paid for your services.
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Ahamefula Ascension is a Real Estate Consultant, Data Analyst, and Content writer. He is the founder of Hope Ablaze Foundation and a Graduate of Environmental Management in one of the prestigious colleges in the country. He is obsessed with Reading, Research and Writing.