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What is a senior environmental scientist and how to become one
Typically, environmental scientists use their understanding of the natural sciences to protect the ecosystem and human health. Senior environmental scientists are the experienced and highly trained environmental scientists who lead ecological planning projects and establish and manage schedules, goals, and budgets. They may even clean up contaminated areas, guide policymakers, or work with the industry to diminish waste. Additionally, they gather samples and observational data in the field and conduct tests in the lab.
They must have a master's degree or at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, as most senior environmental scientists possess a master's degree.
The average salary for a senior environmental scientist is $80,184. So, they can make between $75,000 and $83,000 per annum. Besides, there are significant chances for a salary increase if they can accumulate good experience and skills throughout their career.
What general advice would you give to a senior environmental scientist?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Avg. Salary $82,812
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.77%
Asian 5.03%
Black or African American 3.09%
Hispanic or Latino 6.19%
Unknown 3.68%
White 81.24%
Genderfemale 30.60%
male 69.40%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Senior environmental scientist career paths
Key steps to become a senior environmental scientist
Explore senior environmental scientist education requirements
Start to develop specific senior environmental scientist skills
Skills Percentages Environmental Compliance 6.51% Oversight 6.12% Project Management 5.59% Regulatory Agencies 4.34% Environmental Regulations 4.27% Complete relevant senior environmental scientist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior environmental scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior environmental scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior environmental scientist resumes.Research senior environmental scientist duties and responsibilities
- Develop and manage equipment handling training seminars for EPA personnel.
- Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
- Provide oversight of and time-critical technical support for emergency/disaster response calls, and train and supervise staff.
- Lead a team that perform groundwater remediation on DoD facilities.
Get senior environmental scientist experience
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior environmental scientist. The most common roles before becoming a senior environmental scientist include environmental scientist, environmental specialist team lead and project manager.Prepare your senior environmental scientist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior environmental scientist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior environmental scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable senior environmental scientist resume templates
Build a professional senior environmental scientist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior environmental scientist resume.
Apply for senior environmental scientist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior environmental scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior environmental scientist salary
The average senior environmental scientist salary in the United States is $82,812 per year or $40 per hour. Senior environmental scientist salaries range between $60,000 and $113,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do senior environmental scientists rate their job?
Senior environmental scientist reviews
Firstly, the most important is to protect our planet for us and the future generations. Secondly our planet is not going to support the pressure and negative impacts because of the big Increased human population . Finally our planet needs more and more environmental specialists to regulate and control all human activities, especially the ilegal ones.
I don’t like when big companies they know what’s wrong and what’s right, but still the destroy, like cutting trees in Brazil and the other side big companies even knowing those trees are ilegal, but still they continuing to porches. There for I can’t understand and I don’t like.
Both indoor and outdoor work environment. Great job satisfaction meeting regulatory requirements.
Can be stressful at times
Updated January 8, 2025
