Environmental sampling technicians take environmental samples of the elements around us to examine its composition.
Environmental sampling is essential in measuring the effects and composition of environmental change. Samples may be taken for public health purposes, environmental health, ecological reasons, health at work or to build a picture of change over time (climate science, ancient environmental data for example). Environmental Sampling Technicians are employed to take samples from soil, water and the atmosphere. They may also be employed to take air quality samples from inside work places to ensure regulation compliance (mines, factory ventilation and so on). Therefore, they may look for pollutants and signs of elevated radiation, dust and asbestos in the workplace. In terms of climate science, they may be interested in changes over time - looking for signs of the change in makeup of life forms over time. Dry sand beds may once have been tropical oceans. Environmental Sampling Technicians take these samples to build an image of the current environment and the environmental conditions as they were in the past. Therefore, they may work in paleontology, paleobotany, archaeology, paleoenvironment and many more areas where sampling skills may be required to look for natural or human-caused changes. Unlike Environmental Monitors, they are unlikely to play a part in decision making and policy forming. They are unlikely to be in advisory roles or be higher up in an organizations echelons. However, they are more likely to be involved with cataloguing and record keeping, and work in archives and storage.
Some 36,000 people presently work in environmental sampling and monitoring at present in the USA. Most are employed (some 26%) by privately owned technical and scientific services. These may hire out their services to other businesses or to local and Federal government agencies for specific tasks. Government owned facilities that cause a potential hazard may require strict monitoring and sampling (nuclear power stations, mines Local government is the next best employer by numbers, approximately 18%. Employees within this area work for protection agencies and environmental monitoring sites at a local level. Examples include sites recorded as having special protection work. Businesses who work nearby and people who live nearby may be expected to hold up certain standards. Sampling will take place to ensure continued compliance. Similarly, around 8% work at a state government level. 12% work in labs, archives and other desk jobs for universities and record offices. 6% work for engineering services.
FIND SCHOOLS Sponsored ContentEnvironmental sampling technicians earned a median salary of $51,630 as of May 2020. The highest paid were in manufacturing, where they earned a median salary of $57,820, followed by those in government, where they earned a median salary of $57,210.*
A senior level position as an Environmental Sampling Technician will specialize in a particular environmental field and may have individuals reporting to them or manage projects. A senior level position will include duties such as:
We can expect to see a 8% increase in employment levels among environmental sampling technicians between 2020 and 2030.* This is likely to be down to improvements to the workplace environment and future government commitment to environmental issues in future - both at work and for the ecology. Sampling is likely to play a much larger role in environmental monitoring. Greater reliance on environmental sampling in climate science will also contribute to increased demand. Due to diversity of the skill set, those with extensive experience working in a lab or archive will experience more demand over those who do not.
Prospective Sampling Technicians will be expected to have a bachelor's degree. Those with degrees in the relevant hard sciences such as chemistry and biology, or in environmental science will be especially suitable. This role will include much fieldwork and the requirement of in-depth understanding of a niche area will be vital to career development. Environmental science background will be especially suitable for those who wish to study ancient sampling - paleoecology, paleobotany and paleontology. Sampling technicians can also come at the job from an archaeology background providing that the degree featured environmental data. Where minors and electives are available, these should be preferred when taking a degree in archaeology or anthropology.
For most sampling jobs a master's degree is preferable but not vital. Candidates who seek eventual lab work or greater responsibility including director roles should take a postgraduate course. These roles are unlikely to lead to policy or decision making roles.
*2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for environmental engineering technologists and technicians reflect national data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.
