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The differences between environmental specialists and 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 specialist and an environmental scientist. Additionally, an environmental scientist has an average salary of $60,208, which is higher than the $54,482 average annual salary of an environmental specialist.
The top three skills for an environmental specialist include hazardous waste, environmental compliance and hazardous materials. The most important skills for an environmental scientist are environmental compliance, data collection, and GIS.
| Environmental Specialist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,482 | $60,208 |
| Hourly rate | $26.19 | $28.95 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 18,074 | 56,425 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
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 specialists and environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Specialist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $54,482 | $60,208 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $80,000 | Between $43,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Texas Instruments | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an environmental specialist and an environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Specialist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between environmental specialists' and environmental scientists' demographics:
| Environmental Specialist | Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% |
| 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% |