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Principal environmental scientist vs field scientist

The differences between principal environmental scientists and field scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a principal environmental scientist and a field scientist. Additionally, a principal environmental scientist has an average salary of $98,556, which is higher than the $76,601 average annual salary of a field scientist.

The top three skills for a principal environmental scientist include environmental services, project management and environmental compliance. The most important skills for a field scientist are field testing, data collection, and geotechnical.

Principal environmental scientist vs field scientist overview

Principal Environmental ScientistField Scientist
Yearly salary$98,556$76,601
Hourly rate$47.38$36.83
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs92,45088,454
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age3939
Years of experience66

Principal environmental scientist vs field scientist salary

Principal environmental scientists and field scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Principal Environmental ScientistField Scientist
Average salary$98,556$76,601
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $152,000Between $52,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Syngenta
Best paying industry-Internet

Differences between principal environmental scientist and field scientist education

There are a few differences between a principal environmental scientist and a field scientist in terms of educational background:

Principal Environmental ScientistField Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceEnvironmental Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Principal environmental scientist vs field scientist demographics

Here are the differences between principal environmental scientists' and field scientists' demographics:

Principal Environmental ScientistField Scientist
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between principal environmental scientist and field scientist duties and responsibilities

Principal environmental scientist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
  • Perform a variety of regular cleaning activities to effectively and efficiently maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness and improve aesthetic environment.
  • Perform environmental and geotechnical exploratory boring field logging and reporting.

Field scientist example 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.
  • Show more

Principal environmental scientist vs field scientist skills

Common principal environmental scientist skills
  • Environmental Services, 55%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Environmental Compliance, 7%
  • EPA, 7%
  • Remote Sensing, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
Common field scientist skills
  • Field Testing, 34%
  • Data Collection, 17%
  • Geotechnical, 6%
  • Asbestos, 5%
  • Storm Water, 4%
  • EPA, 4%

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