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The differences between natural resource technicians and environmental technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an environmental technician has an average salary of $39,690, 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 technician are patients, OSHA, and hazardous materials.
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $33,588 | $39,690 |
| Hourly rate | $16.15 | $19.08 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 19,143 | 43,079 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
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.
Natural resource technicians and environmental technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Technician | |
| Average salary | $33,588 | $39,690 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $30,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Danbury, CT |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Student Conservation Association | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between a natural resource technician and an environmental technician in terms of educational background:
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | Duke University |
Here are the differences between natural resource technicians' and environmental technicians' demographics:
| Natural Resource Technician | Environmental Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.7% Female, 39.3% | Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7% |
| 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, 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 | 8% | 8% |