environmental scientist
Role lens
Are you passionate about protecting our planet and finding solutions to environmental challenges? As an environmental scientist, you'll play a vital role in analyzing environmental data, advising on policies, and ensuring a sustainable future.
Environmental scientists work to identify and address environmental problems. Your day might involve collecting and analyzing samples of air, water, or soil, assessing environmental risks associated with new projects, or developing strategies to minimize pollution and manage waste. You’ll use your scientific expertise to advise on environmental policies and ensure compliance with regulations, contributing to the preservation of natural resources and the health of communities.
- • Conducting environmental impact assessments for construction projects and other developments.
- • Analyzing environmental samples (air, water, soil) to identify pollutants and assess their impact.
- • Developing and recommending solutions to minimize environmental hazards and improve sustainability.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Denmark, Netherlands.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could environmental scientist fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Future Outlook for environmental scientist
The outlook for environmental scientist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could environmental scientist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could environmental scientist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- carry out environmental audits
- manage environmental management system
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse environmental data
- advise on environmental risk management systems
- conduct environmental site assessments
Tasks most exposed to automation
- synthesise information
- apply for research funding
- manage research data
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Energy & Natural Resources
A typical day as a environmental scientist
09 09:00 · Morning assess groundwater environmental impact
10 10:30 · Mid-morning analyse environmental data
12 12:00 · Midday investigate pollution
14 14:00 · Afternoon manage intellectual property rights
15 15:30 · Late afternoon operate open source software
17 17:00 · Wrap-up perform environmental investigations
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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environmental management monitors
The hardware and equipment suitable for measurement and live monitoring of environmental parameters.
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environmental threats
The threats for the environment which are related to biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, and physical hazards.
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pollution legislation
Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
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ecosystem management
The set of approaches that takes into account the effect of a management decision on other elements of an ecosystem. It also addresses the optimization of diverse management strategies and the challenges that arise from fragmented landscapes.
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food waste monitoring systems
The characteristics, benefits and ways of using digital tools to collect, monitor and evaluate data on food waste in an organisation or hospitality establishment.
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hydrology
The study of the water concerning the availability and movement of water as well as the impact of human activities on the water cycle.
- environmental legislation
- environmental policy
- physics
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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promote open innovation in research
Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.
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conduct environmental surveys
Conduct surveys in order to collect information for analysis and management of environmental risks within an organisation or in a wider context.
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conduct research before survey
Acquire information about property and its boundaries before the survey by searching legal records, survey records, and land titles.
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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ensure compliance with environmental legislation
Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
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carry out environmental audits
Use equipment to measure various environmental parameters in order to identify environmental problems and investigate manners in which they can be resolved. Perform inspections in order to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
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manage environmental management system
Develop and implement an environmental management system.
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implement environmental protection measures
Enforce environmental criteria to prevent environmental damage. Strive for the efficient use of resources in order to prevent waste and reduce costs. Motivate colleagues to take relevant steps to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
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advise on chemical use reduction
Provide advice to reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides, the emissions of various chemical substances to limit their impact on the environment, as well as shorten their risk for people. Keep up to date with regulations and policies in the field.
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advise on pollution prevention
Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.
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investigate pollution
Identify the cause of pollution incidents, as well as its nature and the extent of the risks, by performing tests on the site of pollution as well as in a laboratory and performing research.
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assess groundwater environmental impact
Estimate environmental impact of groundwater abstraction and management activities.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
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operate open source software
Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how environmental scientist aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
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Where does environmental scientist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education is typically required to become an environmental scientist?
- Most environmental scientist roles require a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related field. Some specialized positions may require a master’s degree or further certifications.
- What are some of the key skills needed to succeed as an environmental scientist?
- Strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of scientific principles are essential. You'll also need excellent communication skills to effectively convey your findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
- What types of organizations employ environmental scientists?
- Environmental scientists find employment in a wide range of sectors, including government agencies (local, national), consulting firms, research institutions, and private companies across industries like energy, manufacturing, and resource management.
- Environmental Scientist — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 7 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany and 3 more. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Environmental Scientist — what does it pay in the United States?
- $80,060 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $53,030 to $132,620. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.