How to hire a field scientist

How to hire a field scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step field scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a field scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new field scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a field scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your field scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a field scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A field scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, field scientists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of field scientists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Field Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Field Scientist	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.	$25-53
   Environmental Service Technician	An environmental service technician is an employee who works in a hospital or healthcare facility to maintain cleanliness and a healthy environment within the premises. Environmental service technicians are involved in traditional janitorial tasks as well as proper handling and disposal of biological waste... Show more	$12-17
   Environmental Technician	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... Show more	$14-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Field Testing
   • Data Collection
   • Geotechnical
   • Asbestos
   • Storm Water
   • EPA
   • Laboratory Analysis
   • GPS
   • GIS
   • Sample Collection
   • Air Samples
   • Air Quality
   • Water Quality
   • R

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
   • Collect groundwater samples following EPA low-flow sampling procedure.
   • Perform wetland delineations with GPS unit.
   • Create GIS maps for publications, flyers, and use for colleagues.
   • Assist with soil filing assessment paperwork and GPS wetlands and streams find within the corridor.
   • Conduct large scale aviary EPA list species and wildlife survey for change of land use project.

   More field scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your field scientist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A field scientist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, field scientists' average salary in florida is 58% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level field scientists 53% less than senior-level field scientists.
   • Certifications. A field scientist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a field scientist's salary.

   Average field scientist salary

   $76,601yearly

   $36.83 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level field scientist salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average field scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$108,843	$52
   2	Massachusetts	$95,269	$46
   3	New York	$83,931	$40
   4	Washington	$81,504	$39
   5	Maryland	$79,535	$38
   6	Colorado	$77,113	$37
   7	New Jersey	$76,982	$37
   8	Texas	$75,437	$36
   9	Illinois	$73,790	$35
   10	Michigan	$71,291	$34
   11	Indiana	$71,084	$34
   12	Montana	$68,948	$33
   13	Minnesota	$67,556	$32
   14	North Carolina	$67,284	$32
   15	Georgia	$65,953	$32
   16	New Mexico	$65,354	$31
   17	Pennsylvania	$64,827	$31
   18	Wyoming	$58,714	$28
   19	Mississippi	$55,226	$27
   20	Alabama	$45,639	$22

   Average field scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Syngenta	$83,157	$39.98	3
   2	NRC	$81,512	$39.19
   3	Valent U.S.A	$80,585	$38.74	1
   4	Corteva	$80,154	$38.54	5
   5	SGS	$78,728	$37.85	33
   6	Novozymes	$78,711	$37.84	2
   7	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$78,381	$37.68	157
   8	ICF	$76,495	$36.78	13
   9	Clean Air Systems	$76,158	$36.61	6
   10	Valent BioSciences	$75,199	$36.15
   11	Apex Companies	$74,478	$35.81	14
   12	ERM	$73,343	$35.26	36
   13	RGA Environmental, A Terracon Company	$65,567	$31.52	60
   14	State Bar of Michigan	$52,316	$25.15

4. Writing a field scientist job description

   A field scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a field scientist job description:

   Field scientist job description example

   If you care about the environment and want to do work that improves our planet, consider joining our team as an Environmental Scientist! For almost 50 years, Bay West LLC (Bay West) has been a recognized leader delivering nationwide Environmental Solutions and we're proud of our stellar safety programs and records. We're a unique mix of expertise & strong tenured employees in the following services: Environmental Consulting, Engineering, Emergency Response, and Waste Management for a mixed portfolio of Federal, State, Municipal, & Industrial/Commercial clients.

   Bay West is seeking to grow our Department of Transportation (DOT) environmental consulting services by adding an experienced Environmental Scientist II for midlevel field support. Bay West is qualified to perform environmental services for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Wisconsin Department of transportation (WISDOT). Bay West is interested in expanding our experience and technical knowledge to enable us to win large-scale DOT due diligence and construction monitoring projects. This position will assist in executing individual and large-scale field projects such as MnDOT corridor due diligence (Phase I and II environmental site assessments) and construction monitoring projects, while also providing ample opportunity to gain field experience on other investigation and remediation projects for our state and federal clients.

   Job Summary:

   The ideal Midlevel Field Support - Environmental Scientist II candidate, has at least 5 years of field experience implementing sampling and monitoring programs for MnDOT and/or WISDOT, including Phase I and Phase II ESAs, and construction monitoring during active construction projects.

   Ideal candidate must be able to perform the following responsibilities:

   • Provide general labor, technical, and geological field support on various environmental site assessments; onsite investigations of contaminated soil, sediment and groundwater; construction observation; and preparation of drilling logs, geologic maps, cross-sections and technical reports.
   • Provide field oversight in large scale and long-term transportation construction monitoring projects.
   • Accurately prepare soil boring logs, field notes, sketches and other documentation of actions undertaken during site investigation and remediation projects.
   • Oversee the proper excavation of contaminated soil during remediation and construction projects.
   • Prepare project deliverables including work plans, project reports, bidding specifications, and other correspondence using technical writing and analysis skills.
   • Collaboratively work and coordinate with other staff to problem solve and produce high quality creative solutions for our customers.
   • Prepare detailed instructions for field staff and assist in directing their project work.
   • Perform other duties as assigned.

   Requirements:

   • Bachelor's degree in engineering, geology, environmental science, biology, or related field.
   • Minimum 5 years of experience in environmental consulting experience on investigation and cleanup projects in Minnesota.
   • Minimum of 5 years of project experience working directly on MnDOT, WisDOT or other related transportation environmental projects.
   • Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, especially MPCA guidance documents along with other environmental assessment field data collection methods and procedures.
   • Knowledge transportation construction project processes and management structure.
   • Experience in another environmental service line such as regulated materials assessment, Phase I ESA preparation and/or review, industrial services, or other similar examples preferred.
   • 40-hour HAZWOPER training and current refreshers.
   • Ability to work on fast-paced projects and supply a quality deliverable that exceeds customer expectations.
   • Ability to foster friendly, positive, productive, and team relationships.
   • Outstanding customer service and communication skills (both written and verbal).
   • Ability to be self-directed and work independently, as well as a team-player.
   • Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced collaborative environment.
   • Travel occasionally to perform field safety audits, kickoff field work, or meet with clients, regulators, and other project stakeholders. (<20%)

   Preferred Skills/Certifications:

   • Maintains professional certifications, PG, PE, or CHMM or has ability to obtain within 2 years

   Bay West offers its valued employees:

   • Employer subsidized medical, health savings account and dental plan.
   • Employer paid vacation time, sick time, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.
   • Additional benefit options including 401(k) plan, vision coverage, supplemental life insurance, critical illness and accident coverage, dependent care and healthcare flexible spending accounts.
   • Support and encouragement to obtain additional credentials and certifications.
   • Culture that empowers all employees to stop a job - we walk the safety talk!
   • Competitive wages and individual consideration as your expertise and responsibilities expand.
   • Business casual environment with great co-workers.

   Bay West is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce. Bay West is an EEO/AA Employer Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity employer.

   
   
   

   PI192179325

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5. Post your job

   To find the right field scientist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with field scientists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit field scientists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your field scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit field scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit field scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new field scientist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the field scientist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a field scientist?