34 Careers for the Environmentally Conscious

Bobbi Peterson is a green living advocate and environmentalist. She’s also a freelance writer and sustainability blogger at Living Life Green.  You can find more from Bobbi on Twitter.

You’re the type of person who likes to make a difference. The kind of person who wanted to be a superhero when you were little just so you could save the world. You care for the earth and your impact on it. You were born to have a green career!

The word “green” isn’t just a buzzword. It’s now almost an entire job category, and there’s plenty of professional opportunities to choose from. Here are 34 unique green jobs that will fuel your love for the environment secure your future career.

Hydrologist

Education: Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree in natural sciences, hydrology concentrations within the engineering, geosciences, or earth sciences
Average Salary (from Payscale):  $62, 261
Demand: Projected to grow 7% over the next 10 years (2014)

Environmental Engineer

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or related field. Co-op engineering program experience is a plus.
Average Salary (from Payscale): $62,679
Demand: Projected to grow 15% over the next 10 years (2012)

Pest Control Technician

Education: High school diploma/equivalent with training
Average Salary (from Payscale): $31,774
Demand: Projected to grow 20% over 10 years (2012)

Conservation Biologist

Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.
Average Salary (from Indeed): $58,000
Demand: Projected to grow 7% over the next 10 years (2014)

Science Teacher

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Average Salary (from Indeed): $51,000
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)

Toxicologist

Education: Bachelor’s at minimum; graduate degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $79,933
Demand: Projected to grow 13% over the next 10 years (2012)

Pollution Control Technician

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Chron): $52,510
Demand: Projected to grow 10% over the next 10 years (2014)

Fundraising Director

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $74,000
Demand: Projected to grow 7% over the next 10 years

Ecologist

Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s degree with fieldwork experience
Average Salary (from Payscale): $52,210
Demand: Projected to grow 11% over the next 10 years (2014)

Camp Counselor

Education: no specific requirements, but CPR and First Aid certification recommended
Average Salary (from Glassdoor): $18,560
Demand: Projected to grow 10% over the next 10 years (2014)

Business Manager

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $57,683
Demand: Projected to grow 8% over the next 10 years (2014)

Economist

Education: Master’s/Ph.D.
Average Salary (from Payscale): $74,447
Demand: Projected to grow 14% over 10 years (2012)

Forester

Education: Bachelor’s degree, training, exam
Average Salary (from Payscale): $47,548
Demand: Projected to grow 3% over 10 years (2012)

Environmental Attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school, apprenticeship,
Average Salary (from EnvironmentalScience.org): $113,530
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)

Community Affairs Manager

 Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $60,204
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)

Environmental Health and Safety Technician

Education: Bachelor’s degree, certification, internship
Average Salary (from Payscale): $77,946
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)

Landscape Architect

Education: Bachelor’s degree, graduate school
Average Salary (from Payscale):  $53,394
Demand: Projected to grow 14% over the next 10 years (2012)

Waste Disposal Manager

Education: Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of field experience
Average Salary (from Indeed): $61,000
Demand: Projected to grow 8% over the next 10 years (2014)

Environmental Chemist

Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s degree
Average Salary (from Glassdoor): $49,880
Demand: Projected to grow 3% over the next 10 years (2014)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Education: Associate’s degree
Average Salary (from BLS): $43,030
Demand: Projected to grow 9% over next 10 years (2014)

Urban and Regional Planner

Education: Master’s Degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $52,410
Demand: Projected to grow 10% over 10 years (2012)

Agricultural Inspector

Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Average Salary (from Learn.org): $43,600
Demand: Projected to fall 6% over the next 10 years (2014), but there are still good job opportunities overall

Wastewater Water Operator

Education: High school diploma or equivalent, some training
Average Salary (from BLS): $44,790
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)

Wildlife Biologist

Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.
Average Salary (from Payscale): $50,000
Demand: Projected to grow 5% over 10 years (2012)

Air Quality Engineer

Education: Bachelor’s degree, graduate school
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: Expected to grow 15% faster than all other occupations in 10 years

Organic Farmer

Education: Farming experience, some college, certification
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: Projected to decline 2% over the next 10 years (2014)

Renewable Energy Engineer

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: N/A

Green Investment Advisor

Education: Bachelor’s/Master’s degree and certification
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: Projected to grow 30% over the next 10 years (2014)

Landscaper

Education: Associate’s degree or certification
Average Salary (from BLS): $63,810
Demand: Projected to grow 5% over the next 10 years (2014)

Recycler

Education: no specific requirements to a Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $44,000
Demand: N/A

Solar Cell Technician

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from EnvironmentalScience.org): $82,000
Demand: Projected to grow 24% over the next 10 years (2014)

Biofueler

Education: Master’s degree
Average Salary (from Chron): $63,530
Demand: N/A

Green Automobile Engineer

Education: Bachelor’s degree, internship, joining a professional association
Average Salary (from Glassdoor): $64,944
Demand: Projected to grow 5% over the next 10 years (2012)

Climatologist

Education: Bachelor’s degree/Ph.D.
Average Salary (from EnvironmentalScience.org): $89,260
Demand: Projected to grow 9% over the next 10 years (2014)

There are so many opportunities for you to show off your passion for the environment. No matter how different your interests may seem, a green career can combine all of them seamlessly. Make a name for yourself and go green!