On site, in the dirt and the weather, you gather the environmental data others depend on — sampling soil, water, and air, and documenting conditions for engineers and regulators. Boots-on-the-ground environmental data.
Most days are physical and outdoors — driving to sites, collecting and labeling samples, running field measurements, and keeping careful chain-of-custody records. You work in all weather and sometimes around contamination, and a sloppy sample can invalidate an entire study. Much of the craft is disciplined sampling that holds up to scrutiny.
The work varies by project and season. Some weeks mean remote sites and long days; others are routine monitoring close to home. Pay and stability tend to run modest, the work can be dirty and physical, and safety protocols around contamination are no joke. For some, the trade-off is demanding fieldwork that rarely pays well.
It tends to suit the hardy and meticulous — people who like being outdoors and take pride in getting the sample exactly right. If you want comfort, routine, or a desk, the field conditions may wear. But if collecting the data that protects health and the environment feels worthwhile, the role is a solid, hands-on entry point.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
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.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Engineering roles →On site, in the dirt and the weather, you gather the environmental data others depend on — sampling soil, water, and air, and documenting conditions for engineers and regulators. Boots-on-the-ground environmental data.
Median pay for an Environmental Field Technician is about $59K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $40K to $92K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Active Learning, and Science.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 1.2% through 2034, with roughly 12,500 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Field Technician, Environmental Health Officer (EHO), and Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech).
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