Jobs / Science and research / 19-2041.00
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
- US jobs
- 89,250
- Median wage
- $82,220 a year
- Job family
- Science and research
Can agents do the work of environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 17%Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activitiesNot measured
- 12%Develop plans for managing or preserving natural resourcesNot measured
- 6%Present research or technical informationNot measured
- 5%Advise others on environmental sustainability or green practicesNot measured
- 3%Communicate environmental or sustainability informationNot measured
- 3%Advise others on legal or regulatory mattersNot measured
- 3%Compile records, documentation, or other dataNot measured
- 3%Assess compliance with environmental standards or regulationsNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025Solved
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 64.8%Claude Code + Opus 5.5 (max) · 6 Oct 2026Strong
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
- Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
- Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
Other job titles for this occupation (28)
Environmental Analyst · Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist) · Environmental Health Specialist · Environmental Programs Specialist · Environmental Protection Specialist · Environmental Scientist · Environmental Specialist · Hazardous Substances Scientist · Natural Resources Specialist · Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) · Air Analyst · Ecological Modeler · Environmental Consultant · Environmental Designer · Environmental Permitting Specialist · Environmental Planner · Environmental Project Specialist · Environmental Resources Specialist · Environmental Safety Specialist · Environmental Services Specialist · Environmental Systems Coordinator · Environmentalist · Health Environmentalist · Pollution Control Chemist · Project Environmental Scientist · Research Environmental Scientist · Water Pollution Scientist · Water Pollution Specialist