Industrial Ecologists
Overview
Introduction
Industrial ecologists study the effect industrial systems have on the environment. They work closely with environmental scientists and specialists to monitor and conduct field tests of various environments to identify and measure pollutants, with the goal of ensuring environmental and public health. Industrial ecologists work for professional, scientific, and technical service organizations and government agencies. There are about 84,600 environmental scientists and specialists (including health) employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Salaries for industrial ecologists vary depending on such factors as their level of education, experience, area of specialization, and the organization for which they work.
Industrial ecologists earned average salaries of $73,413 in December 2023, according to Comparably. Salaries ranged from $35,336 for entry-level positions to $307,940 or more for senior-level jobs.
The median a...
Work Environment
Industrial ecologists may work in a variety of places, from offices and laboratories to wilderness areas, forests, and mountain streams. They might spend part of their work day in front of computers, studying data and creating reports, and another part of their work day in research laboratories, analyzing samples from different environments. They work full time, usually 40 hours per week, with ...
Outlook
The outlook for environmental scientists and specialists, a career field that includes industrial ecologists, is good. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts 7 percent employment growth, which is faster than the average for all careers, through 2033. Increased focus on environmental problems and remedies will mean more employment opportunities for industrial ecologists. Companies need their serv...
