Becoming an Environmental Scientist via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering environmental science courses to train individuals to become top-notch environmental sciences professors, environmental engineers, environmental scientists, environmental health professionals, environmental specialists, environmental analysts, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 16,260 people employed as microbiologists alone in America, and their average annual salary is $71,980. Zoologists and wildlife biologists make on average $60,670 per year and there are about 17,460 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for an Environmental Scientist
  • at the zoo
  • in a park
  • on a mountain
  • in an office
  • at home
  • at a desk
  • in the mud
  • in a jungle
  • on an airplane
  • on a boat
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as an Environmental Scientist
  • decent pay
  • position benifits
  • get to travel
  • benifits include annual and sick leave
  • work schedules are flexible to accommodate academic needs
  • students gain on the job training and experience and preview a career choice
  • get to work outside
  • health insurance benifits
  • retirement benifits
  • attractive salary benifits
Potential Drawbacks
  • you have to work continuously hours together
  • you have to stay deep inside an area for days together
  • you have to undergo fasting sometimes
  • you have to be very patient
  • you have to get exposed to toxic or hazardous processes
  • you have to meet challenges from general public
  • you have to face tough politicians
  • you have to work under government pressure
  • you have to often appear for public hearings
  • you have to travel often without a plan
Related Professions to Consider
  • Freshwater Scientist
  • Wetlands Scientist
  • Restoration Ecologist
  • Forest Scientist
  • Natural Resource Scientist
  • Plant Scientist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Animal Scientist
  • Horticulturist
  • Organic Farmer
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be an Environmental Scientist
  • What is your educational qualification?
  • Do you know how the waste water treatment plant work?
  • What is water treatment plant?
  • What environmental organizations are you currently a part of?
  • What do you think is important when it comes local ecology?
  • What type of bottles should we use for storing the drinking water?
  • Do you prefer working in a team or alone?
  • What are the best environmental health & safety specialist qualifications and training to get ahead?
  • What do you think are the top three environmental health issues?
  • What technical knowledge do you bring to this position related to the duties of the environmental scientist?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • geologist
  • public administrative officer
  • health officer
  • metereological department officer
  • lawyer
  • politician
  • architect
  • non government organization worker
  • IT professional
  • environmental engineer
Environmental Scientist Training books Environmental Scientist (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Environmental Science
  • Fishing and Fisheries
  • Forestry
  • Marine Science
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Soil Science
  • Agriculture
  • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
  • Biology
  • Ecology

Environmental Scientist Salary Information

Category: Microbiologists

Total # Employed in the US 16,260
Average Hourly Wage: $34.61/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.82 $23.92 $32.01 $42.84 $54.4
Average Yearly Salary $71,980
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$39,150 $49,750 $66,580 $89,110 $113,150
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.1% 0.9% 2.6% 3.3% 43.2% 30.2% 19.8%
Microbiologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $46.46/hr $96,640
Florida $45.56/hr $94,770
Idaho $42.81/hr $89,030
Delaware $39.04/hr $81,190
Colorado $38.21/hr $79,470
Iowa $37.33/hr $77,650
North Dakota $36.62/hr $76,160
Utah $35.85/hr $74,570
Louisiana $34.74/hr $72,250
Kansas $34.29/hr $71,320
Oklahoma $34.02/hr $70,760
Missouri $33.93/hr $70,580
New Hampshire $33.06/hr $68,760
Michigan $32.69/hr $68,000
New Jersey $32.49/hr $67,570
New Mexico $32.19/hr $66,960
South Carolina $31.98/hr $66,520
District of Columbia $31.44/hr $65,400
California $30.99/hr $64,460
Connecticut $30.83/hr $64,120
Nevada $30.65/hr $63,750
Nebraska $29.62/hr $61,600
Oregon $29.58/hr $61,530
Montana $29.51/hr $61,390
Indiana $28.7/hr $59,700
Alabama $27.96/hr $58,150
Alaska $27.71/hr $57,630
Wyoming $27.69/hr $57,590
Guam $27.66/hr $57,540
Hawaii $27.42/hr $57,030
Arkansas $27.33/hr $56,840
Washington $27.28/hr $56,740
Kentucky $26.36/hr $54,830
Wisconsin $24.3/hr $50,550
Maryland $24.15/hr $50,240
Maine $23.97/hr $49,850
West Virginia $23.45/hr $48,780


Category: Zoologists and wildlife biologists

Total # Employed in the US 17,460
Average Hourly Wage: $29.17/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16.96 $21.55 $27.16 $34.61 $44.78
Average Yearly Salary $60,670
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$35,280 $44,830 $56,500 $71,990 $93,140
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.1% 0.9% 2.6% 3.3% 43.2% 30.2% 19.8%
Zoologists and wildlife biologists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $43.78/hr $91,050
Virginia $37.23/hr $77,440
Colorado $35.17/hr $73,160
Delaware $34.61/hr $71,990
Massachusetts $33.24/hr $69,150
Indiana $32.86/hr $68,360
Missouri $32.04/hr $66,650
Montana $31.07/hr $64,620
Oregon $30.42/hr $63,270
Tennessee $30.33/hr $63,080
Ohio $30.27/hr $62,960
North Dakota $30.22/hr $62,860
Kansas $29.55/hr $61,470
Alaska $29.24/hr $60,830
Nevada $29.1/hr $60,520
Oklahoma $29.07/hr $60,460
Iowa $28.6/hr $59,490
Connecticut $28.51/hr $59,300
Alabama $28.39/hr $59,040
New York $28.31/hr $58,890
Utah $27.74/hr $57,710
New Jersey $27.4/hr $56,990
Washington $26.82/hr $55,780
Pennsylvania $26.78/hr $55,700
North Carolina $26.64/hr $55,400
Louisiana $26.53/hr $55,180
Nebraska $26.01/hr $54,110
Hawaii $25.83/hr $53,720
South Carolina $25.34/hr $52,710
New Mexico $25.23/hr $52,490
Arkansas $25.15/hr $52,310
Guam $24.99/hr $51,980
California $24.76/hr $51,500
Michigan $24.54/hr $51,050
South Dakota $24.39/hr $50,730
Idaho $24.21/hr $50,350
West Virginia $24.16/hr $50,260
New Hampshire $24.12/hr $50,180
Wisconsin $23.59/hr $49,060
Wyoming $21.98/hr $45,710


Category: Conservation scientists

Total # Employed in the US 16,810
Average Hourly Wage: $29.41/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.1 $22.18 $28.92 $35.26 $42.25
Average Yearly Salary $61,180
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$35,570 $46,140 $60,160 $73,340 $87,890
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.8% 1.1% 7.2% 6.5% 62.8% 18.2% 3.5%
Conservation scientists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alaska $40.76/hr $84,790
Hawaii $35.7/hr $74,260
Florida $35.61/hr $74,070
Massachusetts $33.79/hr $70,290
North Carolina $33.47/hr $69,620
Delaware $33.47/hr $69,610
Colorado $33.24/hr $69,140
Mississippi $33.24/hr $69,130
Maine $32.8/hr $68,230
Kansas $32.64/hr $67,890
California $32.43/hr $67,450
Washington $32.43/hr $67,450
Indiana $32.42/hr $67,440
Wisconsin $32.04/hr $66,630
Tennessee $31.67/hr $65,870
Maryland $31.26/hr $65,030
South Dakota $30.92/hr $64,320
North Dakota $30.46/hr $63,350
New Mexico $30.44/hr $63,310
Pennsylvania $30.44/hr $63,320
Nebraska $30.35/hr $63,120
Alabama $30.15/hr $62,720
Ohio $30.04/hr $62,490
Connecticut $29.69/hr $61,760
Idaho $29.51/hr $61,370
Montana $29.4/hr $61,150
Iowa $29.26/hr $60,850
South Carolina $29.02/hr $60,370
Arkansas $28.82/hr $59,940
Kentucky $28.77/hr $59,850
Wyoming $28.56/hr $59,400
New Jersey $27.88/hr $57,980
Missouri $27.68/hr $57,570
Puerto Rico $27.49/hr $57,170
New York $27.08/hr $56,330
Guam $27.07/hr $56,300
Michigan $26.73/hr $55,600
Oklahoma $26.72/hr $55,570
West Virginia $26.17/hr $54,440
Oregon $26.17/hr $54,430
Nevada $25.57/hr $53,180
New Hampshire $25.48/hr $53,010
Louisiana $24.73/hr $51,440
Utah $21.2/hr $44,090


Category: Foresters

Total # Employed in the US 10,230
Average Hourly Wage: $26.55/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16.94 $20.82 $25.89 $31.63 $36.21
Average Yearly Salary $55,220
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$35,250 $43,310 $53,840 $65,800 $75,310
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.8% 1.1% 7.2% 6.5% 62.8% 18.2% 3.5%
Foresters — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Colorado $32.32/hr $67,220
North Dakota $31.98/hr $66,510
Alaska $30.81/hr $64,080
Delaware $29.84/hr $62,060
Kansas $29.64/hr $61,650
Ohio $29.52/hr $61,410
Missouri $29.07/hr $60,460
Iowa $29/hr $60,320
Tennessee $28.74/hr $59,790
Oregon $28.1/hr $58,460
Alabama $27.8/hr $57,810
Massachusetts $27.77/hr $57,760
Wyoming $27.66/hr $57,520
Guam $27.39/hr $56,970
Nebraska $27.38/hr $56,950
Montana $27.28/hr $56,740
Connecticut $27.26/hr $56,710
California $26.72/hr $55,580
North Carolina $26.45/hr $55,020
Oklahoma $25.97/hr $54,020
Puerto Rico $25.62/hr $53,290
South Carolina $25.55/hr $53,140
South Dakota $25.55/hr $53,140
Utah $25.46/hr $52,960
New Jersey $25.33/hr $52,690
Idaho $24.87/hr $51,730
Washington $24.82/hr $51,630
New Hampshire $24.73/hr $51,440
Pennsylvania $24.54/hr $51,040
Michigan $24.09/hr $50,110
New Mexico $23.95/hr $49,810
Louisiana $22.81/hr $47,430
Arkansas $22.7/hr $47,220
West Virginia $22.5/hr $46,800
Hawaii $22.45/hr $46,690
Kentucky $21.96/hr $45,670
Wisconsin $21.19/hr $44,080
Maryland $20.91/hr $43,490
Nevada $20.86/hr $43,390


Category: Environmental scientists and specialists, including health

Total # Employed in the US 83,530
Average Hourly Wage: $32.38/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.85 $22.12 $29.33 $39.18 $51.53
Average Yearly Salary $67,360
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,120 $46,000 $61,010 $81,500 $107,190
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 0.8% 3.4% 3.3% 47.6% 34.9% 9.7%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $50.42/hr $104,880
Missouri $41.77/hr $86,880
Colorado $35.84/hr $74,550
Kansas $35.48/hr $73,800
Connecticut $35.46/hr $73,760
Wyoming $35.33/hr $73,490
Mississippi $35.29/hr $73,410
Oklahoma $34.3/hr $71,350
New York $33.97/hr $70,650
North Dakota $33.77/hr $70,230
Montana $33.26/hr $69,180
Alaska $32.72/hr $68,060
Delaware $32.71/hr $68,030
Utah $32.33/hr $67,260
Indiana $32/hr $66,550
Louisiana $31.65/hr $65,830
South Carolina $31.25/hr $64,990
Iowa $30.98/hr $64,450
Tennessee $30.8/hr $64,060
Pennsylvania $30.61/hr $63,670
Puerto Rico $29.75/hr $61,890
Guam $29.26/hr $60,870
Virginia $29.09/hr $60,510
District of Columbia $28.88/hr $60,070
North Carolina $28.2/hr $58,650
Ohio $27.93/hr $58,100
Nebraska $27.86/hr $57,950
Oregon $27.75/hr $57,730
Wisconsin $27.63/hr $57,470
Idaho $27.34/hr $56,870
Alabama $27.2/hr $56,580
Maine $27.11/hr $56,380
Hawaii $27/hr $56,160
New Jersey $26.85/hr $55,840
Massachusetts $26.81/hr $55,750
Arkansas $26.64/hr $55,400
Kentucky $26.25/hr $54,600
West Virginia $25.9/hr $53,880
Maryland $25.82/hr $53,710
Michigan $25.72/hr $53,510
Washington $25.37/hr $52,760
New Mexico $25.21/hr $52,440
New Hampshire $24.45/hr $50,860
California $24.33/hr $50,600
South Dakota $24.22/hr $50,370
Nevada $23.96/hr $49,850


Category: Geographers

Total # Employed in the US 1,170
Average Hourly Wage: $34.33/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.16 $26.59 $34.36 $41.79 $47.85
Average Yearly Salary $71,420
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,930 $55,310 $71,470 $86,920 $99,540
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 1.3% 7.3% 3.7% 37.8% 34.3% 15.4%
Geographers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Connecticut $36.67/hr $76,270
Oklahoma $36.17/hr $75,220
Mississippi $35.43/hr $73,700
Colorado $34.68/hr $72,140
Kansas $34.55/hr $71,860
Oregon $32.51/hr $67,620
Tennessee $29.98/hr $62,360
Wyoming $29/hr $60,310


Category: Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

Total # Employed in the US 30,870
Average Hourly Wage: $20.92/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$12.78 $15.61 $19.61 $25.29 $31.34
Average Yearly Salary $43,520
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$26,570 $32,460 $40,790 $52,610 $65,190
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.6% 17.5% 23.9% 12.6% 29.7% 9.4% 4.2%
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Colorado $26.05/hr $54,190
Wisconsin $25.29/hr $52,600
New York $24.89/hr $51,780
New Mexico $23.43/hr $48,740
Louisiana $23.36/hr $48,590
Florida $22.92/hr $47,670
Mississippi $22.64/hr $47,100
Missouri $22.58/hr $46,960
Alaska $22.57/hr $46,940
Connecticut $21.95/hr $45,660
Montana $21.38/hr $44,460
Alabama $21.12/hr $43,940
Virginia $21.1/hr $43,880
Delaware $20.79/hr $43,230
Indiana $20.77/hr $43,200
North Dakota $20.73/hr $43,120
Wyoming $20.71/hr $43,080
Utah $20.67/hr $42,980
Idaho $20.48/hr $42,600
Maine $20.45/hr $42,540
Oklahoma $20.3/hr $42,230
Kansas $20.28/hr $42,180
Nebraska $20.28/hr $42,190
Ohio $20.27/hr $42,160
Massachusetts $20.11/hr $41,830
Guam $19.86/hr $41,300
Maryland $19.79/hr $41,150
Tennessee $19.75/hr $41,080
Washington $19.47/hr $40,490
Arkansas $19.42/hr $40,400
Kentucky $19.4/hr $40,350
Puerto Rico $18.97/hr $39,460
South Dakota $18.83/hr $39,160
South Carolina $18.82/hr $39,140
Hawaii $18.71/hr $38,910
New Hampshire $18.64/hr $38,780
North Carolina $18.6/hr $38,690
Pennsylvania $18.02/hr $37,480
Oregon $17.85/hr $37,130
District of Columbia $17.63/hr $36,660
California $17.12/hr $35,620
New Jersey $16.46/hr $34,250
Michigan $16.19/hr $33,670
Iowa $15.28/hr $31,770
West Virginia $12.28/hr $25,540


Category: Forest and conservation technicians

Total # Employed in the US 31,440
Average Hourly Wage: $17.49/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$11.78 $13.22 $15.8 $20.92 $25.52
Average Yearly Salary $36,370
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$24,490 $27,510 $32,860 $43,510 $53,080
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.6% 17.5% 23.9% 12.6% 29.7% 9.4% 4.2%
Forest and conservation technicians — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Delaware $32.11/hr $66,800
Missouri $21.61/hr $44,950
Oklahoma $20.9/hr $43,480
Alaska $20.33/hr $42,280
Idaho $20.21/hr $42,040
Maine $20.17/hr $41,960
Hawaii $19.68/hr $40,930
Louisiana $19.55/hr $40,650
Massachusetts $19.5/hr $40,560
Montana $19.49/hr $40,540
California $19.42/hr $40,390
Alabama $19.27/hr $40,070
Michigan $19.23/hr $40,010
South Dakota $19/hr $39,510
Nevada $18.88/hr $39,280
Pennsylvania $18.53/hr $38,540
Puerto Rico $18.39/hr $38,260
Colorado $18.28/hr $38,020
Indiana $18.22/hr $37,890
Utah $18.17/hr $37,790
Oregon $18.13/hr $37,710
Nebraska $17.98/hr $37,390
Mississippi $17.98/hr $37,400
New Hampshire $17.66/hr $36,720
Kansas $17.65/hr $36,710
Tennessee $17.58/hr $36,560
Wyoming $17.49/hr $36,380
Washington $17.37/hr $36,130
South Carolina $17.14/hr $35,660
Connecticut $16.93/hr $35,210
North Carolina $16.82/hr $34,980
New York $16.8/hr $34,950
Iowa $16.61/hr $34,560
Arkansas $16.53/hr $34,370
Ohio $16.43/hr $34,180
Kentucky $16.07/hr $33,420
New Jersey $16.02/hr $33,320
Wisconsin $15.78/hr $32,810
West Virginia $15.64/hr $32,530
New Mexico $15.53/hr $32,300


Environmental Science Programs by State & City