Science · SOC 19-4042
Report generation and data analysis face automation; field inspections and regulatory judgment keep significant human value.
Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
Timeline: AI will improve environmental data analysis and report generation within 3-5 years, but field-based inspection work requiring physical presence and regulatory accountability stays human-dominated.
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$93,330 median pay
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AI job-risk card
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health is watch on AIFear. Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health is 42/100 (Watch). Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
42 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Recording test data and preparing summary reports, Weighing and measuring environmental samples, Developing environmental monitoring programs, Making initial recommendations on pollutant control. Harder to automate: Physically inspecting workplaces for hazards, Setting up and monitoring field pollution equipment, Calibrating lab and field instruments, Ensuring regulatory compliance on-site.
Lean into Environmental regulations and compliance, Field sampling and monitoring techniques, Data analysis for environmental science, Occupational health and safety, Technical report writing. Consider roles such as Environmental compliance officer or Industrial hygienist or Environmental health inspector.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.