Being green might not have been a walk in the park in the past, but nowadays, it’s undeniably more manageable. The environmental and sustainability sectors are experiencing remarkable growth and venturing into novel and captivating domains.
Like a thriving tree, the promising environmental industry is branching out, offering diverse career opportunities in environmental organizations and showing consistent expansion.
Choosing a career in the environmental field not only allows for personal fulfillment as you contribute to the planet’s preservation but also promises a bright financial outlook based on compelling evidence for future growth.
According to Georgeson & Maslin’s research in 2019, the environmental sector in the United States comprises over 9.5 million jobs and contributes approximately 7% to the country’s GDP each year. This significant figure highlights the growing importance of the environmental field.
The increasing demand for sustainable products and services among consumers has triggered a notable rise in investments in green businesses. Consequently, this surge in environmentally conscious enterprises has created a strong demand for professionals pursuing careers in the environmental sector.
In this article, our focus will be on delving into the advantages of embarking on the path of the flourishing sustainability industry. Additionally, we will present an enticing compilation of top environmentally rewarding career avenues.
Why choose career opportunities in environmental organizations?
A career in the environmental sector offers remarkable personal fulfillment by allowing you to make a direct and positive impact on both your local climate and the entire planet.
Here are three compelling reasons to explore job opportunities in this field:
- Experience Nature: If you are passionate about nature, an environmental career allows you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Numerous environmental jobs also provide exciting travel prospects, giving you the chance to explore and embrace diverse landscapes.
- Contribution for good: If your passion lies in enhancing sustainability, combating climate change, or mitigating the effects of pollution, pursuing a career in the environmental sector offers you a direct opportunity to actively engage in the battle for a better future.
- Diversity: The realm of the environment offers numerous distinctive career paths tailored to match your interests, abilities, and the specific environmental influence you aspire to create.
Is a career in the environment sector financially fulfilling?
Certainly, it’s undeniable that contributing positively to the planet is intrinsically rewarding. However, when considering a career path, it becomes crucial to ascertain its future prospects and potential for financial stability. Thus, the key question is: Will these environmentally-focused jobs be in demand?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
“What’s good for the earth may be good for your earnings. Wages in many occupations related to environmental protection were well above the $38,640 median annual wage for all occupations in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)…[some]…occupations that involve monitoring the environment and preserving natural resources…wages were more than twice the overall median.”
8 Exciting environmental careers
1. Air Quality Engineer
Air quality engineers specialize in enhancing indoor air quality and purifying polluted air. Their responsibilities encompass technical expertise, statistical modeling, and adherence to governmental regulations. This career path necessitates at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering with a specific emphasis on the field, along with advanced and industry-specific training.
Avg. Annual Salary: $87k
2. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers are responsible for crafting environmental investigation reports and devising projects aimed at safeguarding the environment. Typically, they possess expertise in biology or earth science and leverage their knowledge of wildlife and soil science to formulate initiatives that promote ecological enhancement.
Avg. Annual Salary: $97k
3. Sustainably Engineer
Sustainability engineers play a crucial role in guiding industrial and commercial design teams toward achieving their low-energy and sustainability objectives in various projects. Their expertise lies in enhancing the sustainability profile of these projects through a range of activities, including creating models, collecting environmental impact data, and actively participating in the design process. By doing so, they contribute significantly to the overall eco-friendly and energy-efficient outcomes of the projects they are involved in.
Avg. Annual Salary: $91k
4. Environment Health & Safety Officer
Environmental health and safety officers design customized plans for industrial and commercial enterprises, tailored to suit various working environments. They conduct assessments of both occupational and environmental hazards, impart essential procedural knowledge to teams, and diligently verify adherence to regulatory requirements.
Avg. Annual Salary: $86k
5. Energy Manager
Energy management encompasses various interpretations, with its primary focus lying in the conservation of energy across businesses, public-sector/government organizations, and residential settings. Essentially, an energy manager is responsible for evaluating energy consumption patterns and devising strategies to enhance energy efficiency. Their key objectives include minimizing energy usage by implementing building retrofits and offering guidance on forthcoming architectural designs.
Avg. Annual Salary: $87k
6. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Solar installers are responsible for the installation of solar panels on various structures such as homes, buildings, and land sites. Additionally, they carry out regular maintenance on the panels and ensure compliance with safety protocols. These skilled technicians are proficient in measuring, cutting, and assembling solar modules. Their expertise is often acquired through on-the-job training.
Avg. Annual Salary: $46 k
7. Environment Consultant
Environmental consultants are engaged by various industrial, manufacturing, construction, and architectural firms to evaluate environmental concerns and the potential effects of company projects on the air, water, and soil. Their primary responsibility is to communicate their assessments and discoveries to their clients. Additionally, they play a crucial role in ensuring that their clients comply with all relevant environmental regulations and standards.
Avg. Annual Salary: $149k
8. Conservation Scientists and Foresters
Conservation scientists and foresters are responsible for the stewardship of forests, parks, and various natural habitats. Their primary focus is on managing the quality of the land to promote sustainability and protect biodiversity. They play a crucial role in overseeing forestry and conservation activities, ensuring strict adherence to government regulations for habitat preservation. Moreover, they engage in negotiations to establish terms and conditions related to forest harvesting and land-use contracts.
Collaborating with private landowners, governmental agencies, farmers, and other stakeholders, they work towards enhancing land for forestry purposes while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental preservation.
Foresters have additional responsibilities, such as closely monitoring the regeneration of forests and actively participating in efforts to suppress forest fires. They contribute to finding ways to extract timber with the least possible impact on the environment, employing sustainable practices to minimize environmental damage.
Average Annual Salary: $64k
Some other environment career profiles are Wildlife Biologist, Ecologist, Hydrologist, Geologist, Park Ranger, and Adventure Guide.
Conclusion
As the public’s concern for environmental preservation grows, so does the reach of the environmental and sustainability industries, penetrating new and captivating domains. This expansion not only brings forth a diverse array of job opportunities but also elevates their importance in driving industrial and commercial progress, ensuring a promising and stable future for environmental careers.
For those passionate about nature, an environmental career holds tremendous fulfillment as it allows you to make a tangible and enduring difference in safeguarding our planet while also providing personally rewarding employment.
Ravi Ranjan 
aboutgreenify