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The differences between environmental engineering interns and environmental scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an environmental engineering internship, becoming an environmental scientist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an environmental scientist has an average salary of $60,208, which is higher than the $36,235 average annual salary of an environmental engineering internship.
The top three skills for an environmental engineering internship include GIS, environmental compliance and powerpoint. The most important skills for an environmental scientist are environmental compliance, data collection, and GIS.
| Environmental Engineering Internship | Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $36,235 | $60,208 |
| Hourly rate | $17.42 | $28.95 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 112,274 | 56,425 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
An environmental engineering intern is someone who provides environmental compliance. Environmental engineering interns assist environmental program administrators. They conduct surveys or studies for the completion of documents. It is their duty to help in the development and rehabilitation of monitoring wells to ensure productive water samples. They collect and compile data to establish a water-management plan on a state level. Also, they perform evaluations, establish and validate procedures, and improve record keeping.
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
Environmental engineering interns and environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Engineering Internship | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $36,235 | $60,208 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $49,000 | Between $43,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Schneider Electric Industrial Services | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an environmental engineering internship and an environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Engineering Internship | Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between environmental engineering interns' and environmental scientists' demographics:
| Environmental Engineering Internship | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9% | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 13.0% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 16% |