Headline risk
4%
Very Low RiskEnvironmental science and protection technicians, including health
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 8% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 49,490
Employment 2024
40.4K
Projected Change (2024–34)
4.0%
Openings (2024–34)
5.6K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results. AI use: 97%
- 2. Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution. AI use: 0%
- 3. Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation. AI use: 0%
- 4. Discuss test results and analyses with customers. AI use: 0%
- 5. Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis. AI use: 0%
- 6. Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 40.3 · 63K employed
Under 25: 10% · 25–54: 73% · 55+: 17%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work in offices, laboratories, and the field. Most environmental science and protection technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree. Depending on the position, however, educational requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
The median annual wage for environmental science and protection technicians was $49,490 in May 2024.
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.