As a field sampling technician, you collect the samples science runs on — pulling water, soil, or air the right way, in the right place, and getting them to the lab intact and properly documented. Collecting the samples the lab depends on.
The work is hands-on and protocol-bound: collecting samples by strict procedure, labeling and preserving them, maintaining chain of custody, and logging everything. It tends to be physical, outdoor, and detail-critical — a contaminated or mislabeled sample is worthless — so following the method exactly is the whole point.
The work serves environmental, regulatory, and research projects, so the setting ranges from streams to industrial sites. It can mean driving, weather, and awkward or hazardous conditions, and some roles are seasonal or contract. The documentation matters as much as the sample, since results may end up in court or compliance reports.
It tends to suit the careful, physically game, and methodical — people fine working outdoors and getting the details exactly right. If you want a lab bench, an office, or fast variety, the fieldwork may not fit. But as a hands-on entry into environmental science, with a clear role and real stakes, it can be a solid start.
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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.
As a field sampling technician, you collect the samples science runs on — pulling water, soil, or air the right way, in the right place, and getting them to the lab intact and properly documented. Collecting the samples the lab depends on.
Median pay for a Field Sampling Technician (Field Sampling Tech) is about $49K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $36K to $86K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Critical Thinking.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 4% through 2034, with roughly 39,390 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Field Investigator, Field Technician, and Environmental Field Specialist.
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