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The differences between field scientists and environmental technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a field scientist, becoming an environmental technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a field scientist has an average salary of $76,601, which is higher than the $39,690 average annual salary of an environmental technician.
The top three skills for a field scientist include field testing, data collection and geotechnical. The most important skills for an environmental technician are patients, OSHA, and hazardous materials.
| Field Scientist | Environmental Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $76,601 | $39,690 |
| Hourly rate | $36.83 | $19.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 88,454 | 43,079 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
The duties of a field scientist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In general, their responsibilities typically include conducting studies and scientific research, visiting various sites to observe and gather samples, performing laboratory analyses and experiments, maintaining records of all operations, and coming up with conclusions from the research findings. When it comes to employment opportunities, a field scientist may work for learning institutions, government agencies, and private companies, where they usually work together with other scientists and experts.
An environmental technician is responsible for identifying, evaluating, preventing, and controlling contamination of the environment. They study how it affects human health with the supervision of environmental engineers and environmental scientists. Environmental technicians work by monitoring the environment and look for possible sources of pollution and contamination that can possibly affect public health. They make sure that environmental violations are prevented. In addition, an environmental technician also investigates any complaint that is related to water quality, air quality, and food safety.
Field scientists and environmental technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Scientist | Environmental Technician | |
| Average salary | $76,601 | $39,690 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $111,000 | Between $30,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Danbury, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Syngenta | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Energy |
There are a few differences between a field scientist and an environmental technician in terms of educational background:
| Field Scientist | Environmental Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between field scientists' and environmental technicians' demographics:
| Field Scientist | Environmental Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5% | Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 8% |