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Environmental field technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an environmental field technician. Environmental field technicians usually study environmental science, geology, or biology. 65% of environmental field technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 870 real environmental field technician resumes to see exactly what environmental field technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for environmental field technicians are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online environmental field technician courses to help get the education required to be an environmental field technician.
There are certain environmental field technician certifications that you should consider. These environmental field technician certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Environmental Professional: Environmental Operations.
What education do you need to become an environmental field technician?
What degree do you need to be an environmental field technician?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 16%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an environmental field technician?
Most common colleges for environmental field technicians
| Environmental field technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.69% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 6.41% |
| Lamar University | 6.41% |
| University of Wyoming | 6.41% |
| University of North Carolina at Wilmington | 6.41% |
Best majors for environmental field technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 33.5% |
| 2 | Geology | 16.9% |
| 3 | Biology | 11.3% |
| 4 | Business | 5.4% |
| 5 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 5.4% |
Best colleges for environmental field technicians
The best colleges for environmental field technicians are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
An environmental field technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for environmental field technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become environmental field technicians.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
3. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
4. Colby College
Waterville, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$55,210
Enrollment
2,000
5. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
6. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
7. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for environmental field technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Environmental Science
The Introduction to Environmental Science course explores the field of environmental science and encourages participants to understand how environmental scientists think. It addresses some important questions such as: 1. What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies? 2. How do both differ from environmentalism? 3. Why is energy so important in environmental science? 4. What do you mean by biodiversity? You will also explore what global cycles are and how they...
2. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...
3. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management
Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...
4. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system
Understand the requirements for an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015...
5. Introduction to Environmental Science
To understand current environmental problems, we need to consider physical, biological & chemical processes that are often the basis of those problems. This course will give you the skills necessary to address the environmental issues we are facing today by examining scientific principles and the application of those principles to natural systems. This course surveys some of the many environmental science topics at an introductory level, ultimately considering the sustainability of human...
6. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
7. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
8. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
9. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...
10. Human Health Risks, Health Equity, and Environmental Justice
The fourth and final course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will cover two topics. The first is environmental justice – that is, avoiding an inequitable distribution of environmental health threats in our population, and ensuring a healthy and safe environment and health equity for all. The second is risk assessment and management, a framework that can be utilized to assess and quantify human health risks, and to identify appropriate approaches to...
11. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
12. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
13. Education on climate change: water and soil
This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...
14. Women in environmental biology
Have you ever wondered how humans relate to other living beings and what do you need to know to be able to understand current environmental problems? Do you know that many of these researches and knowledge have been described by women? This course gives answers to these questions and it is addressed to anyone interested in the relationship between humans and other living beings, as well as all those concerned about the global change situation that the planet is suffering. We will learn key...
15. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...
16. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.
OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...
17. Become a Pharmacy Technician
A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...
18. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out
OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...
19. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program
Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...
20. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance
From theory to practice (junior and less than 1 year experience level)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental field technicians
The most affordable schools for environmental field technicians are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for environmental field technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for environmental field technicians.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental field technicians
The hardest universities for environmental field technicians to get into are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for environmental field technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for environmental field technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Amherst College
Amherst, MA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,449
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. Colby College
Waterville, ME • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,437
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental field technicians
The easiest schools for environmental field technicians to get into are Wayland Baptist University, william paterson university of new jersey, and midwestern state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an environmental field technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for environmental field technicians.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
3. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
4. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
5. Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,062
6. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
7. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
8. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
9. Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, TX • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,085
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average environmental field technician salary by education level
| Environmental field technician education level | Environmental field technician salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $42,309 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,752 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $38,718 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $39,731 |
Environmental field technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025