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The differences between environmental specialists 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 specialist and a senior environmental scientist. Additionally, a senior environmental scientist has an average salary of $82,812, 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 a senior environmental scientist are environmental compliance, oversight, and project management.
| Environmental Specialist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,482 | $82,812 |
| Hourly rate | $26.19 | $39.81 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 18,074 | 56,184 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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.
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 specialists and senior environmental scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Specialist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Average salary | $54,482 | $82,812 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $80,000 | Between $60,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Texas Instruments | Technip USA Corporation |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an environmental specialist and a senior environmental scientist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Specialist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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 senior environmental scientists' demographics:
| Environmental Specialist | Senior Environmental Scientist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% | 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% |