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The differences between environmental scientists and environmental programs specialists 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 scientist and an environmental programs specialist. Additionally, an environmental scientist has an average salary of $60,208, which is higher than the $55,129 average annual salary of an environmental programs specialist.
The top three skills for an environmental scientist include environmental compliance, data collection and GIS. The most important skills for an environmental programs specialist are environmental quality, environmental regulations, and EPA.
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Programs Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $60,208 | $55,129 |
| Hourly rate | $28.95 | $26.50 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 56,425 | 18,178 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 program specialists ensure that all environmental protocols and standards are followed in the work area. They work with janitorial services to ensure that cleanliness is maintained and wastes are correctly disposed of. If the standards have not been followed, they investigate and report it to the administration and assess the event's effect on the environment. They also conduct hands-on experiments to look for issues and provide remedies according to environmental standards.
Environmental scientists and environmental programs specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Programs Specialist | |
| Average salary | $60,208 | $55,129 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $35,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Chevron | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an environmental scientist and an environmental programs specialist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Programs Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between environmental scientists' and environmental programs specialists' demographics:
| Environmental Scientist | Environmental Programs Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 16% | 16% |