Economy
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.
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)
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)
Education: High school diploma/equivalent with training
Average Salary (from Payscale): $31,774
Demand: Projected to grow 20% over 10 years (2012)
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)
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Average Salary (from Indeed): $51,000
Demand: Projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: Bachelor’s at minimum; graduate degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $79,933
Demand: Projected to grow 13% over the next 10 years (2012)
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Chron): $52,510
Demand: Projected to grow 10% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $74,000
Demand: Projected to grow 7% over the next 10 years
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)
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)
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $57,683
Demand: Projected to grow 8% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: Master’s/Ph.D.
Average Salary (from Payscale): $74,447
Demand: Projected to grow 14% over 10 years (2012)
Education: Bachelor’s degree, training, exam
Average Salary (from Payscale): $47,548
Demand: Projected to grow 3% over 10 years (2012)
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)
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)
Education: Bachelor’s degree, graduate school
Average Salary (from Payscale): $53,394
Demand: Projected to grow 14% over the next 10 years (2012)
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)
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)
Education: Master’s Degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $52,410
Demand: Projected to grow 10% over 10 years (2012)
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
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)
Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.
Average Salary (from Payscale): $50,000
Demand: Projected to grow 5% over 10 years (2012)
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
Education: Farming experience, some college, certification
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: Projected to decline 2% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $65,000
Demand: N/A
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)
Education: Associate’s degree or certification
Average Salary (from BLS): $63,810
Demand: Projected to grow 5% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: no specific requirements to a Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from Payscale): $44,000
Demand: N/A
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Average Salary (from EnvironmentalScience.org): $82,000
Demand: Projected to grow 24% over the next 10 years (2014)
Education: Master’s degree
Average Salary (from Chron): $63,530
Demand: N/A
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)
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!