Jobs / Science and research / 19-4042.00
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
- US jobs
- 34,670
- Median wage
- $55,090 a year
- Job family
- Science and research
Can agents do the work of environmental science and protection technicians, 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.
- 8%Analyze environmental or geospatial dataNot measured
- 8%Inspect facilities or equipmentNot measured
- 8%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
- 6%Collect environmental or biological samplesNot measured
- 5%Confer with clients to determine needs or order specificationsNot measured
- 5%Prepare specimens or materials for testingNot measured
- 5%Advise others on legal or regulatory mattersNot measured
- 4%Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performanceNot 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.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
- Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
- Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
- Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
Other job titles for this occupation (76)
Environmental Health Officer (EHO) · Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech) · Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist) · Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) · Public Health Sanitarian · Sanitarian · Sanitarian Specialist · Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician) · Water Quality Analyst · Water Quality Specialist · Air Analyst · Air Pollution Auditor · Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech) · Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician) · Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech) · Asbestos Microscopist · Biological Lab Tech (Biological Laboratory Technician) · Biotechnician · Certified Indoor Environmentalist · Chemical Lab Tech (Chemical Laboratory Technician) · Compliance Technician (Compliance Tech) · Decontamination Technician (Decontamination Tech) · Emergency Spill Response Technician (Emergency Spill Response Tech) · Energy and Conservation Technician (Energy and Conservation Tech) · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Compliance Technician (Environmental Compliance Tech) · Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech) · Environmental Lab Tech (Environmental Laboratory Technician) · Environmental Monitoring Technician (Environmental Monitoring Tech) · Environmental Property Assessor · Environmental Sampling Technician (Environmental Sampling Tech) · Environmental Science Technician (Environmental Science Tech) · Environmental Services Associate · Environmental Services Technician (Environmental Services Tech) · Environmental Test Technician (Environmental Test Tech) · Facility Environmental Technician (Facility Environmental Tech) · Field Environmental Technician (Field Environmental Tech) · Field Sampling Technician (Field Sampling Tech) · Field Technician · Ground Water Monitoring Technician (Ground Water Monitoring Tech) · Ground Water Technician (Ground Water Tech) · Hazardous Materials Analyst (Hazmat Analyst) · Hazardous Materials Technician (Hazardous Materials Tech) · Hazardous Waste Technician (Hazardous Waste Tech) · Industrial Ecology Technician (Industrial Ecology Tech) · Infectious Waste Technician (Infectious Waste Tech) · Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant) · Lead-Based Paint Technician (Lead-Based Paint Tech) · Leaking Underground Storage Tank Remover (LUST Remover) · Materials Exchange Specialist · Microbiological Lab Technician (Microbiological Laboratory Technician) · Mobile Lab Technician (Mobile Laboratory Technician) · Monitoring Technician (Monitoring Tech) · Natural Resources Technician (Natural Resources Tech) · Pollution Control Technician (Pollution Control Tech) · Prep Technician (Preparation Technician) · Process Environmental Technician (Process Environmental Tech) · Public Health Sanitarian Technician (Public Health Sanitarian Tech) · Radon Inspector · Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech) · Sample Prep Tech (Sample Preparation Technician) · Sample Technician (Sample Tech) · Smog Technician (Smog Tech) · Smoke Tester · Soil Analyst · Solid Waste Analyst · Solid Waste Landfill Technician (Solid Waste Landfill Tech) · Solid Waste Technician (Solid Waste Tech) · Surface Water Technician (Surface Water Tech) · Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Technician (TSDF Technician) · Waste Minimization Technician (Waste Minimization Tech) · Waste Specialist · Wastewater Analyst · Water Analyst · Water Quality Technician (Water Quality Tech) · Water Treatment Specialist