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The differences between environmental scientists and senior 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 scientist and a senior environmental scientist. Additionally, a senior environmental scientist has an average salary of $82,812, which is higher than the $60,208 average annual salary of an environmental scientist.
The top three skills for an environmental scientist include environmental compliance, data collection and GIS. The most important skills for a senior environmental scientist are environmental compliance, oversight, and project management.
| Environmental Scientist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $60,208 | $82,812 |
| Hourly rate | $28.95 | $39.81 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 56,425 | 56,184 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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.
A senior environmental scientist specializes in conducting studies to identify environmental problems and develop solutions to improve its condition. The daily responsibilities of a senior environmental scientist often depend on their place of employment. Still, they typically include performing research and analysis, conducting observations and interviews, gathering samples, preparing documentation, and spearheading laboratory experiments and procedures. Through their research findings, they must produce reports and presentations along with appropriate recommendations. Furthermore, as a senior scientist, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior scientists while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Environmental scientists and senior environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Scientist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $60,208 | $82,812 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $60,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Chevron | Technip USA Corporation |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an environmental scientist and a senior environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Scientist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between environmental scientists' and senior environmental scientists' demographics:
| Environmental Scientist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| 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% |