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What is an environmental compliance manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Doug Spieles Ph.D.
introduction image

An environmental compliance manager makes sure that a company is following governmental standards for protecting the environment, They usually work for companies whose operations have a huge impact on the environment, such as manufacturing companies, or government regulatory agencies. An environmental compliance manager develops overall plans for protecting the environment, for example by creating a new hazardous waste management system for a company. They ensure that a company's existing operations follow regulations by conducting regular audits and training employees in environmental safety. Environmental compliance managers need to have the technical knowledge to understand how a company's actions can impact the environment and the communication and organizational skills to develop plans to minimize that impact.

Most environmental compliance managers start off by getting a bachelor's degree in environmental science. Some go on to earn a master's degree or specialized certificates, such as HAZMAT certification.

Environmental compliance managers also need professional experience in project management and environmental protection, for example as environmental engineers. Environmental compliance managers earn an average annual salary of $69,296.

What general advice would you give to an environmental compliance manager?

Dr. Doug Spieles Ph.D.Dr. Doug Spieles Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, Denison University

Cast a wide net. You may have an ideal position and geographic location in mind, but very few people land that dream job immediately. A willingness to pursue various positions and locations can increase your odds of finding an entry-level job. This can help you build skills and networks that will put you in a healthier place for achieving your ultimate goal.
ScoreEnvironmental Compliance ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $68,648

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.3

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.83%

Asian 8.08%

Black or African American 11.04%

Hispanic or Latino 14.92%

Unknown 4.45%

White 60.68%

Gender

female 26.36%

male 73.64%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Environmental compliance manager career paths

Key steps to become an environmental compliance manager

  1. Explore environmental compliance manager education requirements

    Most common environmental compliance manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.5 %

    Master's

    12.3 %

    Associate

    10.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific environmental compliance manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Regulatory Agencies10.35%
    Oversight5.48%
    Hazardous Waste5.46%
    OSHA5.18%
    Hazardous Materials4.98%
  3. Complete relevant environmental compliance manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New environmental compliance managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an environmental compliance manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real environmental compliance manager resumes.
  4. Research environmental compliance manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage EHS regulatory compliance programs, including RCRA LQG requirements.
    • Manage special projects such as the remediation of hazardous and RCRA contaminate sites after facilities are closed.
    • Manage sewage treatment plant direct discharge monitoring, operation, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    • Track operation's NPDES, SMCRA, and SPCC permits.
  5. Prepare your environmental compliance manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your environmental compliance manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an environmental compliance manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable environmental compliance manager resume templates

    Build a professional environmental compliance manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your environmental compliance manager resume.
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
    Environmental Compliance Manager Resume
  6. Apply for environmental compliance manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an environmental compliance manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first environmental compliance manager job

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Average environmental compliance manager salary

The average environmental compliance manager salary in the United States is $68,648 per year or $33 per hour. Environmental compliance manager salaries range between $43,000 and $108,000 per year.

Average environmental compliance manager salary
$68,648 Yearly
$33.00 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do environmental compliance managers rate their job?

2/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Environmental compliance manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2021
Pros

Firstly, the most important is to protect our planet for us and the future generations. Secondly our planet is not going to support the pressure and negative impacts because of the big Increased human population . Finally our planet needs more and more environmental specialists to regulate and control all human activities, especially the ilegal ones.

Cons

I don’t like when big companies they know what’s wrong and what’s right, but still the destroy, like cutting trees in Brazil and the other side big companies even knowing those trees are ilegal, but still they continuing to porches. There for I can’t understand and I don’t like.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Pros

Both indoor and outdoor work environment. Great job satisfaction meeting regulatory requirements.

Cons

Can be stressful at times


profile
2.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

environmental Impacts accuracy and quality of classification processes handled by their team. Impacts team, partner teams and Process Experts.

Cons

pay, responsibly,


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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