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Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment

Careers in Environmental Systems Science and Sustainability

Our graduates become:

  • Environmental scientists and specialists
  • Conservation scientists
  • Environmental sustainability consultants
  • Sustainability coordinators
  • Climate change analysts
  • Teachers and professors
  • Environmental science and protection technicians

Where geologists work

The largest employers of environmental scientists and specialists in 2020 were: management, scientific, and technical consulting services (25%), state government, excluding education and hospitals (24%), local government, excluding education and hospitals (12%), engineering services (10%), federal government, excluding postal service (6%), and other (23%). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, accessed February 16, 2022.

What geologists make

For more information on the outlook for environmental scientists and related occupations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

  • The median annual wages for environmental scientists and specialists and related occupations in May 2020 was: physical scientists ($83,250), environmental scientists and specialists, including health ($73,230). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, accessed February 16, 2022.
  • The median annual wages for conservation scientists and foresters and related occupations in May 2020 was: life scientists ($81,130), conservation scientists ($64,020), conservation scientists and foresters ($64,010), foresters ($63,980). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Conservation Scientists and Foresters, accessed February 16, 2022.
  • The median annual wages for environmental science and protection technicians and related occupations in May 2020 was: life, physical, and social science technicians ($48,440), environmental science and protection technicians, including health ($46,850). The total for all U.S. occupations was $41,950. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, accessed February 16, 2022.