As of June 2026, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health has an AI-exposure score of 61/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
More exposed than 70% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$55,090. About 5,600 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Science roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
- Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
- Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
- 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.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
- Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
- Develop testing procedures.
- Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
- Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
- Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (80%).
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
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Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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