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The differences between natural resource technicians and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a natural resource technician, becoming an environmental specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an environmental specialist has an average salary of $54,482, which is higher than the $33,588 average annual salary of a natural resource technician.
The top three skills for a natural resource technician include GPS, natural resources and hand tools. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $33,588 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $16.15 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 19,143 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 38 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A natural resource technician assists other environmental specialists in collecting and compiling environmental data and in using that information to assess how natural resources are impacted by bioenergy. A natural resource technician is typically supervised by a senior natural resource specialist. This position requires a bachelor's degree in environmental science. The responsibilities of this position include analyzing environmental problems, developing plans that guide policy makers, and providing data on possible outcomes of bioenergy deployment.
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.
Natural resource technicians and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $33,588 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Student Conservation Association | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a natural resource technician and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between natural resource technicians' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.7% Female, 39.3% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 | 8% | 16% |