Mid-Level

Environmental and Sustainability Manager

The environmental programs leader — managing environmental compliance and sustainability programs.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
I
C
S
A
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Environmental and Sustainability Managers
Employment concentration · ~327 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Environmental and Sustainability Manager

As Environmental and Sustainability Manager, you manage environmental compliance and sustainability programs. You ensure regulatory compliance, manage environmental permits, implement sustainability initiatives, and report on environmental and sustainability performance.

Your days blend compliance with sustainability. You might manage permit compliance, coordinate environmental audits, implement sustainability programs, prepare environmental reporting, and engage with regulators. You ensure environmental responsibility while advancing sustainability.

The hardest part is managing complex regulatory requirements while also driving sustainability progress. Environmental and Sustainability Managers who thrive combine regulatory expertise with sustainability vision, build organizational commitment, and demonstrate both compliance and improvement.

AchievementHigh
IndependenceHigh
Working ConditionsHigh
RecognitionHigh
RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Regulatory complexityIndustry footprintCompliance vs sustainability balanceTeam structureStakeholder pressure
This role varies by regulatory and industry context. Heavy industry faces more environmental compliance. The balance between compliance and sustainability differs. Team structures range from individual to team. Stakeholder pressure from communities and others varies.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Environmental and Sustainability Managers (SOC 11-1011.03), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Environmental and Sustainability Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Environmental strategy
Director roles shape environmental approach beyond compliance
2
ESG integration
Environmental connects to broader ESG
3
Stakeholder management
Senior roles involve diverse stakeholders
What is the environmental regulatory complexity?
What is the balance between compliance and sustainability?
What are the key environmental challenges?
What is the team structure?
What stakeholder pressures exist?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$74K–$208K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
212K
U.S. Employment
+4.3%
10yr Growth
22K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingWritingComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-1011.03

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.