10 of the Most Popular Types of Environmental Field Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Environmental Field jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Environmental Field Jobs

• Entry Level Environmental

  Salary range: $32,500 - $52,500

  You can find entry-level environmental jobs in a variety of different industries. You can work for a conservation or ecology non-profit, a government agency that monitors industry compliance with environmental regulations, a geology or natural resource extraction firm, or in a research position at a university, to name just a few. The specific job duties depend on the type of environmental work you do. For example, in industry compliance positions, you may test soil samples or take air quality readings to ensure a manufacturing facility is not violating federal standards. While your specific duties may vary, your overall goal is to protect our natural resources from pollution and overutilization.

• Environmental Engineer

  Salary range: $73,500 - $108,500

  Environmental engineers research and develop systems and solutions to environmental problems. They have backgrounds in soil science, chemistry, biology, and engineering, which they apply to the production of architectural systems that address air pollution, water conservation, recycling, sustainability, and public health.

• Environmental Attorney

  Salary range: $94,000 - $157,000

  Environmental law includes a wide range of issues pertaining to the use and protection of the natural environment, such as water and air quality, species protection, land management, and alternative energy sources. Environmental attorneys work for private firms or government agencies and handle cases within these areas. As an environmental attorney, you need to follow all rules and regulations that may affect your company or the government agency you work for. Sustainability is a growing field, with new legislation being regularly produced, so the demand for environmental attorneys is expected to increase.

• Environmental Scientist

  Salary range: $75,000 - $98,500

  Environmental scientists conduct research designed to recognize hazardous conditions that affect the environment or public health, such as pollution or water contamination, and suggest ways to control or remove them. This research generally involves collecting and analyzing various environmental samples, examining published data from other scientists, and exploring connections between the results and human activity. Environmental scientists need to be excellent communicators and writers, preparing reports, research papers, and presentations that demonstrate and defend their findings.

• Entry Level Environmental Science

  Salary range: $36,000 - $52,500

  Entry-level environmental science jobs include working in biology, geology, chemistry, education, public relations, public policy, or consulting. Your specific duties differ depending on whether you have a research job or a position in analysis or public relations, which typically requires more extensive writing and a broader knowledge of public policy, ecological law, and environmental regulations. In a research position, your responsibilities include handling sample and data collection, performing land surveys, conducting assessments of wildlife habitat and wetlands, testing and analyzing samples, and helping with studies that recommend further research or policy changes. Environmental science researchers may work at an academic or research institution, while other environmental science professionals may work for a non-profit or in private industry or government.

• Environmental Science

  Salary range: $75,000 - $98,500

  Environmental Science is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Environmental Science jobs pay between $75,000 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Environmental Science job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Ecosystem Restoration

  Salary range: $50,500 - $76,000

  Ecosystem Restoration is a common job search query. Most salaries for Ecosystem Restoration jobs pay between $50,500 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Ecosystem Restoration job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Environmental Scientist

  Salary range: $75,000 - $98,500

  The job of an entry-level environmental scientist is to perform research and analysis on the environment. They typically work under supervision or on a team of senior-level scientists. An entry-level environmental scientist may work in the field on sample collection or facility inspection or test samples in a lab in order to or assess the presence of hazardous substances or pollution in the water, land, or air. These research projects look for potential solutions to pollution, ways to prevent health hazards, or methods to increase sustainability.

• Entry Level Nepa

  Salary range: $35,500 - $48,000

  Entry Level Nepa is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level Nepa jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $48,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Nepa job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Field Environmental Scientist

  Salary range: $75,000 - $98,500

  Field Environmental Scientist is a typical job search query Most salaries for Field Environmental Scientist jobs pay between $75,000 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Field Environmental Scientist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.