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Environmental sampling technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an environmental sampling technician. Environmental sampling technicians usually study biology, environmental science, or chemistry. 73% of environmental sampling technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 145 real environmental sampling technician resumes to see exactly what environmental sampling technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for environmental sampling technicians are the Stephen F Austin State University and the Stephen F Austin State University.

There are also many online environmental sampling technician courses to help get the education required to be an environmental sampling technician.

What education do you need to become an environmental sampling technician?

What degree do you need to be an environmental sampling technician?

The most common degree for environmental sampling technicians is bachelor's degree, with 73% of environmental sampling technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Associate, 18%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an environmental sampling technician?

You should major in biology to become an environmental sampling technician. 19% of environmental sampling technicians major in biology. Other common majors for an environmental sampling technician include environmental science and chemistry.

Most common colleges for environmental sampling technicians

Environmental sampling technicians often get their degrees at Stephen F Austin State University, University of California - Davis, and California University of Pennsylvania. Here are the most common colleges for environmental sampling technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Environmental sampling technician common collegePercentages
Stephen F Austin State University7.69%
University of California - Davis7.69%
California University of Pennsylvania7.69%
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities7.69%
University of Wisconsin Colleges7.69%

Best majors for environmental sampling technicians

RankMajorPercentages
1Biology19.0%
2Environmental Science17.7%
3Chemistry12.7%
4Geology6.3%
5Graphic Design3.8%

Best colleges for environmental sampling technicians

The best colleges for environmental sampling technicians are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.

An environmental sampling 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 sampling 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 sampling technicians.

1. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for environmental sampling technicians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental sampling technicians

The most affordable schools for environmental sampling technicians are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for environmental sampling 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 sampling technicians.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

7. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

8. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

9. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental sampling technicians

The hardest universities for environmental sampling technicians to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for environmental sampling 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 sampling 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental sampling technicians

The easiest schools for environmental sampling technicians to get into are Wayland Baptist University, barry university, and cardinal stritch university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an environmental sampling 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 sampling technicians.

1. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

7. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

8. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

9. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

10. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

Average environmental sampling technician salary by education level

Environmental sampling technicians with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $37,539 annually. With a Associate degree, environmental sampling technicians earn a median annual income of $35,133 compared to $34,189 for environmental sampling technicians with an Bachelor's degree.
Environmental sampling technician education levelEnvironmental sampling technician salary
Master's Degree$37,539
High School Diploma or Less$33,290
Bachelor's Degree$34,189
Some College/ Associate Degree$35,133

Environmental sampling technician education FAQs

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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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