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Environmental programs specialist vs principal environmental scientist

The differences between environmental programs specialists and principal environmental scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an environmental programs specialist and a principal environmental scientist. Additionally, a principal environmental scientist has an average salary of $98,556, which is higher than the $55,129 average annual salary of an environmental programs specialist.

The top three skills for an environmental programs specialist include environmental quality, environmental regulations and EPA. The most important skills for a principal environmental scientist are environmental services, project management, and environmental compliance.

Environmental programs specialist vs principal environmental scientist overview

Environmental Programs SpecialistPrincipal Environmental Scientist
Yearly salary$55,129$98,556
Hourly rate$26.50$47.38
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs18,17892,450
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age3939
Years of experience66

Environmental programs specialist vs principal environmental scientist salary

Environmental programs specialists and principal environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Environmental Programs SpecialistPrincipal Environmental Scientist
Average salary$55,129$98,556
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $84,000Between $63,000 And $152,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateMassachusetts-
Best paying companyPort Authority of New York and New Jersey-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between environmental programs specialist and principal environmental scientist education

There are a few differences between an environmental programs specialist and a principal environmental scientist in terms of educational background:

Environmental Programs SpecialistPrincipal Environmental Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Environmental programs specialist vs principal environmental scientist demographics

Here are the differences between environmental programs specialists' and principal environmental scientists' demographics:

Environmental Programs SpecialistPrincipal Environmental Scientist
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 52.2% Female, 47.8%Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between environmental programs specialist and principal environmental scientist duties and responsibilities

Environmental programs specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead numerous consultation meetings with USACE, BOEM, USCG, NMFS, USFWS and other state and federal agencies.
  • Develop GIS datasets, queries and reports from the dBase database.
  • Develop GIS database and produce GIS products with Esri products for direct use in statewide drinking water assessment program.
  • Use diagnostic tools for troubleshooting, identify and repairing air quality ambient monitoring equipment and meteorological instruments according to EPA standards.
  • Collect soil and groundwater samples; conduct environmental reviews and investigations; and perform oversight activities for various environmental management activities.
  • Coordinate a restoration and conservation grant program locating, surveying and controlling invasive wetland species.

Principal environmental scientist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
  • Perform a variety of regular cleaning activities to effectively and efficiently maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness and improve aesthetic environment.
  • Perform environmental and geotechnical exploratory boring field logging and reporting.

Environmental programs specialist vs principal environmental scientist skills

Common environmental programs specialist skills
  • Environmental Quality, 14%
  • Environmental Regulations, 13%
  • EPA, 9%
  • Water Quality, 7%
  • GIS, 6%
  • Public Health, 6%
Common principal environmental scientist skills
  • Environmental Services, 55%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Environmental Compliance, 7%
  • EPA, 7%
  • Remote Sensing, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%

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