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Environmental Health Inspector Jobs in Seattle, WA

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Environmental Health Inspector information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$27.9K

$62.5K

$112.7K

How much do environmental health inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental health inspector in Seattle, WA is $62,521.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,800.00 and $72,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does an Environmental Health Inspector typically collaborate with other agencies and departments during inspections?

Environmental Health Inspectors frequently work alongside local health departments, public works, and environmental protection agencies to ensure comprehensive compliance with regulations. Collaboration often includes sharing findings, coordinating follow-up actions, and participating in joint investigations, especially when dealing with complex issues like hazardous waste or water quality concerns. This teamwork facilitates a thorough approach to public health and safety while providing inspectors opportunities to broaden their expertise and network with professionals in related fields.

Do you need a degree to be an EHS specialist?

Environmental Health Specialists typically do not require a college degree, but many employers prefer candidates with a degree in environmental science, public health, or a related field. Certification and experience in inspection procedures and safety standards are often important for advancement in this role.

What are Environmental Health Inspectors?

Environmental Health Inspectors are professionals responsible for assessing and ensuring compliance with public health and safety regulations in various environments. They inspect restaurants, public facilities, housing, and workplaces to identify health hazards, such as improper food handling, sanitation issues, or unsafe environmental conditions. Their work helps prevent disease outbreaks, contamination, and other threats to public health. Environmental Health Inspectors often educate business owners and the public on proper health practices and follow up to ensure violations are corrected.

Is there a demand for health inspectors?

Environmental health inspectors are in steady demand due to ongoing public health concerns and the need for regulatory compliance in food safety, sanitation, and environmental standards. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as governments and organizations prioritize health and safety inspections, often requiring relevant certifications and knowledge of health codes.

What is the highest paying job in environmental health?

In environmental health, senior roles such as Environmental Health Director or Environmental Health Manager tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities within government agencies or large organizations.

What is the difference between Environmental Health Inspector vs Food Safety Inspector?

AspectEnvironmental Health InspectorFood Safety Inspector
CertificationsUsually requires state or local environmental health certificationsOften requires food safety or health department certifications
Work EnvironmentInspecting public health hazards in various settings like water, waste, and sanitationInspecting food establishments, processing plants, and restaurants
Employer & IndustryGovernment health departments, environmental agenciesHealth departments, food regulatory agencies

Environmental Health Inspectors and Food Safety Inspectors both work to protect public health but focus on different areas. Environmental Health Inspectors have a broader scope, including water quality and waste management, while Food Safety Inspectors specialize in food-related safety standards. Both roles require similar certifications and are employed by government agencies dedicated to public health.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Environmental Health Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environmental Health Inspector, you need a solid background in environmental science, public health, or a related field, often supported by a relevant bachelor’s degree and state or local certification. Familiarity with inspection tools, sampling equipment, and regulatory databases is essential for conducting site assessments and documenting findings. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help inspectors identify hazards and clearly convey compliance requirements. These competencies ensure public safety by enabling thorough inspections and promoting adherence to health and environmental regulations.

How much does a Rehs make in Ohio?

An Environmental Health Inspector in Ohio typically earns an average salary of around $45,000 to $55,000 per year, depending on experience and location. Certification and knowledge of local health regulations can influence salary levels, and inspectors often work full-time in government or health departments.
What are popular job titles related to Environmental Health Inspector jobs in Seattle, WA? For Environmental Health Inspector jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Environmental Health Inspector jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Environmental Health Inspector jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Environmental Health Inspector jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Environmental Health Inspector job openings:
Environmental Health Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environmental Health Inspector job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,521 per year, or $30.1 per hour.

Environmental Health Specialist III

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Tacoma, WA • On-site

$89K - $121K/yr

Other

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Salary : $89,648.00 - $121,264.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 2026-0050
Division: Environmental Health
Program: EH - On-Site Sewage/ Water Resources
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 12:00 AM Pacific
Job Summary
Are you looking for a place to apply your knowledgeable background in Environmental Health? Use your professional knowledge, leadership, and technical experience to make a difference in the health of the residents of Pierce County. We invite you to apply for our Environmental Health Specialist III position in Onsite Sewage/Water Resources part of the Environmental Health Division. This is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) position.
This position is the fifth level in the Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) series and works under the direction of an EHS Supervisor or Program Manager. An employee assigned to this classification works independently as a subject matter expert (SME) and technical lead, mentoring and training technical staff. Assignments are general in nature with minimal specificity regarding how to proceed with assignments. Unusual problems or situations may be discussed with a manager depending on the impact.
Position Series
  • Permit Technician I
  • Permit Technician II
  • Environmental Health Specialist I/II
  • Environmental Health Specialist III
  • EHS Supervisor

Career Path Options
Options to continue your career at the Health Department depend on your interest, education, and training. Possibilities beyond the position series include:
  • Program Manager I
  • Program Manager II

Essential Functions
  • Customer Service: Provide customer service to the public and industry professionals on environmental health topics, applications, permits, applicable fees, and related codes in person, over the phone, and through written communication.
  • Conduct and Oversee Complex Inspections and Regulatory Compliance Assessments: Conduct and oversee complex inspections and assessments of permitted facilities, field sites, and regulatory applications (e.g., food establishments, schools, solid waste facilities, land development, plan review) to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Perform comprehensive investigations of various facilities and environmental incidents (e.g., foodborne or waterborne illnesses), including hazardous spills or disease outbreaks.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Prepare detailed reports and communication, maintain accurate records of inspections, incidents, and data; potentially provide expert testimony in court related to documentation. Accurately input information and documentation into database systems and maintain detailed records.
  • Education and Consultation: Provide educational outreach, consultation, and training to communities, businesses, and individuals on environmental health issues, best practices, regulatory requirements, and safe procedures.
  • Program Coordination, Training, and Staff Mentorship: Coordinate the activities of an assigned environmental health program, which includes planning, organizing, and coordinating work with the department and with external partners such as federal, state, and local agencies. Provide operational guidance, technical oversight, comprehensive training, mentorship, and review the work of a team of environmental health specialists, pool inspectors, and permit technicians, to include office work, field work, and other aspects of the regulatory process. Document performance to share with the direct supervisor, provide feedback, and often provide input on performance evaluations.
  • Contribute Subject Matter Expertise in Policy Development and Program Planning: Assist in the development, recommendation, and interpretation of new or revised regulations, ordinances, and program procedures. Assist in the development of program goals, objectives, and performance measurements, and provide programmatic data to evaluate effectiveness.

Examples of Key Duties
The items in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic, and duties may change based on business needs. Any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
  • Conducts complex field inspections to monitor and evaluate facilities and operations for compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Conducts complex field and office reviews for a variety of plan applications and code review including septic systems, water systems, food service establishments, schools, camps, water recreation facilities, and others.
  • Provides complex technical oversight to other Environmental Health Specialists and Technicians as they perform field investigations and plan reviews.
  • Serves as technical expert in legal proceedings, depositions, hearings, and public meetings as needed.
  • Trains department staff on policies and procedures for program needs.
  • Acts as operational lead including mentorship, reviewing work product, and giving input on performance evaluations.
  • Acts as lead inspector for high profile sites.
  • Composes reports, public health advisory information, and public relations materials for education and dissemination to the public.
  • Responds to challenging inquiries and explains complex regulatory requirements to consultants, engineers, land use professionals, and other agencies.
  • Gives input on contracts, grants, and program expenditures.
  • Answers staff and client questions and concerns to ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Works with state and local agencies to develop codes, including cross-state policies.
  • Operates various office and field equipment to collect site samples and data.
  • Creates process workflows and documentation.
  • Interprets and applies relevant laws and regulations to departmental policies and procedures.
  • Provides educational outreach to the public and other groups including workshops, newsletters, and public events.
  • Composes and presents statistical, narrative, and graphical reports on their area of focus.
  • Coordinates with other environmental health programs, agencies, and private industries as needed.
  • The work you do might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness
  • Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
  • Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
  • Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
  • Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned duties and responsibilities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time and reporting to a location other than the department with different working conditions and physical requirements. You are expected to participate in emergency preparedness activities including our emergency notification system, WA SECURES. Drills and real-world events may take place at any time.
For a complete description of the classification specification
What you bring to the table
  • Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs and databases.
  • Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the body of work.
  • Advanced and technical knowledge of environmental health principles, practices, and techniques.
  • Skilled in planning, organizing, and leading work activities to meet established objectives.
  • Skilled in coaching, mentoring, training, and educational outreach.
  • Intermediate knowledge of math and science and their application to environmental health principles.
  • Skilled in collecting, organizing, analyzing, compiling, recording, and assessing data.
  • Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
  • Skilled in communication:
    • Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner.
    • Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information.
    • Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
    • Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations.
    • Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information.
    • Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.

Foundational Competencies
  • Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
  • Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work inequity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
  • Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
  • Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
  • Cross cultural communication and Engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one's own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department's mission, values, and ethical standards.

Who should apply
The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in environmental science, public health, or other related science field.
  • 4 years of experience in an environmental health specialist role.
  • Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an EHS role.

We will consider any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Professional Certifications, Licensure, and Other Requirements
We require the following for this classification.
  • Valid driver's license and acceptable driver's abstract required prior to employment.
  • Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Certification or two additional years of experience in an EHS role.
  • Completion of required program specific certifications/training.
    • Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Resources Washington State License: On-Site Inspector Certificate of Competency Within 2 years of hire.

Desirable experience in the following areas:
  • Leading a team.
  • Washington State Onsite Sewage and Drinking Water Regulations.
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter 1 - General Provisions, 2 - On-Site Sewage and 3 - Drinking Water.
  • Onsite Sewage related Inspections.
  • Staff Training and/or Mentoring.
  • Code Application and Interpretation for compliance.
  • Accela database.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Work Environment
  • Work is performed in both inside and outside environments.
  • Inside work exposure hazards are limited to those commonly found in government office environments.
  • Potential for dealing with dissatisfied or angry customers exists, requires skills in conflict resolution and situational awareness.
  • Work may be performed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, snow

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