Environmental Science Degree
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Table of Contents
Environmental science incorporates the study of the physical, chemical and biological processes that take place on the Earth, as well as the social, political and cultural processes which impact the planet.
Environmental science degrees challenge students to combine skills and knowledge from a variety of different fields. This could mean exploring aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, geography, Earth and marine sciences, and also social sciences. The idea is to combine multiple perspectives and data sources, to build up a fuller understanding of natural and human environments.
Environmental Science Careers
The career trajectory of people with an Environmental Science degree appears to be focused around a few careers. The most common career that users with Environmental Science degrees have experience in is Conservation Scientist, followed by Environmental Technician, Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Officer, Cartographer, Urban Planner, Environmental Engineer, Forest and Conservation Worker, Park Naturalist, and Biologist.
| Career | % of graduates | % of population | Multiple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation Scientist | 6.1% | 0.0% | 133.6× | ||
| Environmental Technician | 6.9% | 0.0% | 472.4× | ||
| Environmental Consultant | 5.1% | 0.0% | 150.6× | ||
| Sustainability Officer | 5.7% | 0.0% | 197.6× | ||
| Cartographer | 3.9% | 0.0% | 80.4× | ||
| Urban Planner | 2.4% | 0.1% | 25.2× | ||
| Environmental Engineer | 3.7% | 0.1% | 61.1× | ||
| Forest and Conservation Worker | 4.1% | 0.0% | 161.6× | ||
| Park Naturalist | 4.2% | 0.0% | 154.6× | ||
| Biologist | 1.7% | 0.3% | 5.5× | ||
Environmental Science Salary
Environmental Science graduates earn on average $36k, putting them in the 45th percentile of earners with a degree.
| Percentile | Earnings after graduation ($1000s USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 25th (bottom earners) | $25k | |
| Median (average earners) | $36k | |
| 75th (top earners) | $40k | |
Environmental Science Underemployment
Environmental Science graduates are moderately employed compared to other graduates. We have collected data on three types of underemployment. Part-time refers to work that is less than 30 hours per week. Non-college refers to work that does not require a college degree. Low-paying includes a list of low-wage service jobs such as janitorial work, serving, or dishwashing.
| Employment Type | Proportion of graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs that don't require college | 55% | |
| Part-Time | 29% | |
| Low-paying | 15% | |
