Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists study the natural world and how human activity affects it.
What can you do with an environmental science degree?
Also called: Environmental sciences · Environmental studies · Earth and environmental sciences · Sustainability science
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
An environmental science degree studies how the natural world works and how human activity affects air, water, soil, wildlife and climate. It combines biology, chemistry, geography and geology with fieldwork and data analysis. Graduates often work as environmental scientists, consultants and policy officers, or in planning, agriculture and conservation, on problems such as pollution and climate change.
Careers with an environmental science degree
Environmental science graduates work for consultancies, government agencies, water and energy companies, farms, conservation charities and international organisations. Many start as environmental scientists or consultants, carrying out surveys, impact assessments and monitoring. Others move into urban planning, environmental policy or sustainability roles in business. With further study or training, some become agronomists, geologists or environmental engineers. Growing attention to climate change and nature has widened the range of roles, but entry-level jobs can be competitive.
-
-
Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers design systems that protect people and nature from pollution, such as drinking water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, waste and recycling facilities, and the clean-up of contaminated land.
-
Urban planner
Urban planners decide how land in cities, towns and regions should be used, balancing housing, transport, jobs, public services and the environment.
-
Agronomist
Agronomists are scientists who help farmers grow crops more productively and sustainably.
-
Geologist
Geologists study the Earth, including its rocks, minerals, soils and water and the processes that shape them.
-
Policy officer
Policy officers research problems, analyse evidence and advise decision makers on laws, programmes and strategies.
Other roles graduates go into: Sustainability consultant · Ecologist · Conservation officer · Hydrologist · Environmental compliance officer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Ecology and biodiversity
- Climate science and climate change
- Environmental chemistry and pollution
- Soils, water and earth systems
- Environmental policy, law and management
- Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing
- Field and laboratory methods
- Statistics and data analysis for environmental research
Skills you gain
- Collecting and analysing samples and data in the field and laboratory
- Using GIS and other mapping tools
- Assessing environmental risks and impacts
- Explaining scientific evidence to non-specialists
- Writing reports for clients, regulators and the public
- Linking science with policy, law and economics
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a bachelor's degree usually takes three years, and many graduates add a one- or two-year master's to specialise. In the United States, Canada and many Asian countries it is usually a four-year programme, and some universities offer both a science track and a more policy-based environmental studies track. Programmes differ a lot in focus: some are close to biology or geography, while others include more chemistry, engineering or economics. Entry usually requires at least one science subject at school. Fieldwork is part of most programmes, and in some countries degrees can be accredited by professional environmental bodies.
How do environmental science graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 138 (2023) | 77.1% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Chile | 125 (2023) | 84.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| United States | 117 (2023) | 84.8% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Norway | 111 (2023) | 86.5% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Denmark | 111 (2023) | 82.4% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Mexico | 109 (2023) | 78.3% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Slovenia | 108 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.8% |
| South Korea | 106 (2023) | — | — |
| Estonia | 105 (2023) | 89.2% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Canada | 105 (2020) | 80.1% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Switzerland | 104 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 103 (2022) | 88.4% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Australia | 103 (2020) | 86.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Austria | 102 (2023) | 82.6% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 101 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 100 (2023) | 85.3% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Germany | 97 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Romania | 96 (2023) | 92.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Luxembourg | 94 (2023) | 79.5% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 93 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| United Kingdom | 92 (2020) | 83.2% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Iceland | — | 92.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Poland | — | 91.5% (2024) | 91.6% |
| France | — | 91.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Lithuania | — | 90.6% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Czechia | — | 90.0% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Netherlands | — | 89.0% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Ireland | — | 87.2% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.7% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Croatia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Spain | — | 84.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Belgium | — | 83.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Greece | — | 82.9% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Italy | — | 82.9% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Peru | — | 80.5% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 72.6% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Environmental sciences” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £25,600 | £20,900 | £30,400 | 88.6% |
| After 3 years | £29,300 | £24,500 | £34,400 | 90.5% |
| After 5 years | £31,800 | £26,400 | £38,800 | 90.9% |
| After 10 years | £38,400 | £27,800 | £53,800 | 87.1% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment.
Is an environmental science degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You care about nature and want to use science to understand environmental problems.
- You enjoy working outdoors as well as in a laboratory or at a computer.
- You like combining different sciences rather than focusing on just one.
Think twice if
- You want to avoid chemistry, statistics and mathematics, which appear in most programmes.
- You dislike fieldwork in bad weather or remote places.
- You mainly want campaigning work, as many jobs involve technical monitoring, reports and regulations.
Further study
A master's degree is common and often helps with specialist roles in ecology, climate science, environmental management or GIS. Some countries have professional registration for environmental practitioners, which usually needs work experience and an assessment. A PhD leads to research posts in universities, government and international organisations. Short courses in GIS, data analysis or environmental impact assessment are useful alongside work.
Questions about studying environmental science
What jobs can you get with an environmental science degree?
Common jobs include environmental scientist, environmental consultant, ecologist, sustainability officer, conservation officer and policy officer. Graduates also work in urban planning, water and waste management, agriculture and energy. With further study or training, some become environmental engineers, geologists or agronomists, and others teach science or work in research.
What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies?
Environmental science focuses on the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry and earth science, and uses laboratory work, fieldwork and data. Environmental studies looks more at people, society, policy and economics. Universities and countries use these names in different ways, so read the list of modules before you apply.
Is environmental science a good degree for working on climate change?
Yes, it is one of several good routes. It gives you a broad understanding of climate, ecosystems and pollution, and the data skills employers want. Some specialist climate research roles prefer degrees in physics, mathematics or atmospheric science, while policy roles often value economics or law, so choose modules that match the work you want.
Is environmental science a hard degree?
It is moderately demanding. You study several sciences at once, so you need to be comfortable with chemistry, biology and basic statistics, and fieldwork can be physically tiring. Most students find the variety interesting, but it can mean less depth than a single-science degree such as chemistry or biology.
Related subjects
-
Geography
A geography degree studies places, people and the environment, and how they affect each other.
-
Biology
A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.
-
Geology
A geology degree studies the Earth: its rocks, minerals, fossils and structure, and the processes that shape it, from volcanoes and earthquakes to groundwater and past climates.
-
Agriculture
An agriculture degree teaches the science and business of producing food and other products from crops and animals, from soil and plant science to farm management and sustainability.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH26-01-04 — Environmental sciences
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0521
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with an environmental science degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/environmental-science/ (accessed September 26, 2026)