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Senior environmental technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior environmental technician. Senior environmental technicians usually study environmental science, biology, or environmental control technologies/technicians. 59% of senior environmental technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 322 real senior environmental technician resumes to see exactly what senior environmental technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior environmental technicians are the Columbia Southern University and the Columbia Southern University.

There are also many online senior environmental technician courses to help get the education required to be a senior environmental technician.

There are certain senior environmental technician certifications that you should consider. These senior environmental technician certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Environmental Professional: Environmental Operations.

What education do you need to become a senior environmental technician?

What degree do you need to be a senior environmental technician?

The most common degree for senior environmental technicians is bachelor's degree, with 59% of senior environmental technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 22% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 59%
  • Associate, 22%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a senior environmental technician?

You should major in environmental science to become a senior environmental technician. 18% of senior environmental technicians major in environmental science. Other common majors for a senior environmental technician include biology and environmental control technologies/technicians.

Most common colleges for senior environmental technicians

Senior environmental technicians often get their degrees at Columbia Southern University, University of Kentucky, and University of Wisconsin Colleges. Here are the most common colleges for senior environmental technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Senior environmental technician common collegePercentages
Columbia Southern University13.64%
University of Kentucky6.82%
University of Wisconsin Colleges6.82%
University of Utah6.82%
Lawrence University4.55%

Best majors for senior environmental technicians

Best colleges for senior environmental technicians

The best colleges for senior environmental technicians are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A senior environmental technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior environmental technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior environmental technicians.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

4. Colby College

Waterville, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$55,210

Enrollment

2,000

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

7. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,874

Enrollment

1,819

20 best online courses for senior environmental technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Environmental Science

coursera

The Introduction to Environmental Science course explores the field of environmental science and encourages participants to understand how environmental scientists think. It addresses some important questions such as: 1. What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies? 2. How do both differ from environmentalism? 3. Why is energy so important in environmental science? 4. What do you mean by biodiversity? You will also explore what global cycles are and how they...

2. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis

coursera

Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...

3. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

udemy
4.4
(4,224)

Understand the requirements for an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015...

4. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management

udemy
4.4
(267)

Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...

5. Introduction to Environmental Science

coursera

To understand current environmental problems, we need to consider physical, biological & chemical processes that are often the basis of those problems. This course will give you the skills necessary to address the environmental issues we are facing today by examining scientific principles and the application of those principles to natural systems. This course surveys some of the many environmental science topics at an introductory level, ultimately considering the sustainability of human...

6. Women in environmental biology

coursera

Have you ever wondered how humans relate to other living beings and what do you need to know to be able to understand current environmental problems? Do you know that many of these researches and knowledge have been described by women? This course gives answers to these questions and it is addressed to anyone interested in the relationship between humans and other living beings, as well as all those concerned about the global change situation that the planet is suffering. We will learn key...

7. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.5
(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

8. How to Write Effortless Quality Procedures & SOPs for ISO

udemy
4.6
(360)

Write Professional Procedures. The only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...

9. Human Health Risks, Health Equity, and Environmental Justice

coursera

The fourth and final course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will cover two topics. The first is environmental justice – that is, avoiding an inequitable distribution of environmental health threats in our population, and ensuring a healthy and safe environment and health equity for all. The second is risk assessment and management, a framework that can be utilized to assess and quantify human health risks, and to identify appropriate approaches to...

10. Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries

coursera

Have you come across large piles of garbage in neighbourhoods and streets and smelly waste disposal sites polluting the environment of low- and middle-income countries? Do you want to know what kind of sustainable solutions are appropriate to better manage waste and enhance recycling and recovery? If yes, this course is for you! This course provides you with an overview of the municipal solid waste management situation in low- and middle-income countries. It covers key elements of the waste...

11. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

udemy
4.4
(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

12. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

udemy
4.5
(7,832)

Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

13. Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health

coursera

In this specialization, you will explore how many public health outcomes are directly influenced by human contact with the environment. The four courses in this series will introduce you to the environmental health sciences (EHS) discipline; you'll examine the hazards of air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, radon, and noise; identify the major challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable practices; and use risk assessment to evaluate the health of population,...

14. Become a Pharmacy Technician

udemy
4.7
(2,374)

A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...

15. OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy and Lock Out / Tag Out

udemy
4.5
(528)

OSHA required training under 29 CFR 1910 and 1926...

16. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit

udemy
4.2
(707)

Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...

17. Mastering ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System

udemy
4.6
(2,349)

Plain and Simple Clause by Clause Explanation of ISO 9001:2015 QMS Standard & Implementation Strategies...

18. ISO 14001 Demystified - Environment Management 360° Insights

udemy
4.4
(400)

Online Training Course on ISO 14001:2015 EMS - Simple Lectures - Terms, Clauses, Transition Methodology & Real Cases...

19. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016

udemy
4.2
(631)

Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

20. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

udemy
4.6
(465)

A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior environmental technicians

The most affordable schools for senior environmental technicians are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and university of washington.

If the best universities for senior environmental technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior environmental technicians.

1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

6. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Cost of attendance

36,739

7. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Cost of attendance

23,600

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior environmental technicians

The hardest universities for senior environmental technicians to get into are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for senior environmental technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior environmental technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

5. Colby College

Waterville, ME • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,437

6. Amherst College

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,449

7. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,465

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Hamilton College

Clinton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

21%

SAT average

1,446

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior environmental technicians

The easiest schools for senior environmental technicians to get into are Saint Joseph's College of Maine, thomas more university, and curry college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior environmental technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior environmental technicians.

1. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

2. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

3. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. Clarke University

Dubuque, IA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,058

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, TX • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,094

Average senior environmental technician salary by education level

Senior environmental technicians with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $66,093 annually. With a Associate degree, senior environmental technicians earn a median annual income of $57,313 compared to $54,052 for senior environmental technicians with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior environmental technician education levelSenior environmental technician salary
Master's Degree$66,093
High School Diploma or Less$51,042
Bachelor's Degree$54,052
Some College/ Associate Degree$57,313

Senior environmental technician education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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