Data & Research
 
* ELMI Occupation Profile - Industrial Ecologists *
 
Industrial Ecologists
(O*NET 19-2041.03, SOC 19-2041)
What they do
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
 
Also called:
Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist, Researcher
 
 
Wages
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health*
Vermont - 2023
Percentile1HourlyYearly
10% $ 26.42   $54,950  
25% $ 28.83   $59,970  
Median $ 33.80   $70,300  
75% $ 38.11   $79,270  
90% $ 43.94   $91,400  
 
Average $ 34.19   $71,120  
* You're seeing information for "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health" because it includes "Industrial Ecologists" for which wage information is not available.
1 What are Percentile Wages?
More at CareerOneStop
 
Industries of Employment
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health*
United States - 2020
IndustryPercent of total
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services
42%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals
24%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals
12%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service
6%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private
3%
* You're seeing information for "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health" because it includes "Industrial Ecologists" for which industries of employment information is not available.
More at BLS
 
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about:
  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Chemistry
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Physics
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
More at O*NET
 
Skills
People in this career often have these skills:
  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening
    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking
    Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing
    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
More at O*NET
 
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments:
  • Investigative
    Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
  • Enterprising
    Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler
 
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need:
  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  • Persistence
    Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
More at O*NET
 
Tasks
On the job, you would:
  • Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
  • Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
  • Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
  • Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
  • Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
More at O*NET
 
Related Occupations
More at O*NET
 
 
Career Video
Watch at CareerOneStop with transcript or at YouTube.
 
Projected Employment
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health*
 Vermont
2020 employment 313
2030 employment 342
Annual percent change
(compounded)
0.9%
Annual projected job openings
(due to change and separations)
34
* You're seeing information for "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health" because it includes "Industrial Ecologists" for which projected employment information is not available.
More at Occupational Projections
 
Education and Experience:
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health*
  • Typical education needed for entry
    Bachelor's degree
  • Work experience in a related occupation
    None
  • Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
    None
* You're seeing information for "Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health" because it includes "Industrial Ecologists" for which education and experience information is not available.
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications
 
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
 
  • Physical activity is Somewhat Important
  • Level of activity is Low
Importance
Low   High
Level
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Job Zone
Extensive Preparation Needed
  • Specific Vocational Preparation Range
    (8.0 and above) - A typical worker will require over 4 years up to and including 10 years or more of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP
 
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have?
Education level Percent of
U.S. Workers
Doctoral or professional degree
or post-MA certificate
  9%
Master's degree or
post-BA certificate
  70%
Bachelor's degree   22%
Associate's degree   0%
Certificate or some college,
no degree
  0%
High school diploma
or equivalent
  0%
Less than high school diploma   0%
More at O*NET
 
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in:
  • Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning
    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Written Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity
    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
More at O*NET
 
Work Activities
In general, what you might do:
  • Getting Information
    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information
    Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Working with Computers
    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing Information
    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
    Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
More at O*NET
 
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day:
  • Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
  • Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
  • Identify sustainable business practices.
  • Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
  • Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
More at O*NET
 
Other Resources
  • CareerOneStop
    resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
  • O*NET Online
    nation's primary source of occupational information
 
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This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

BLS

This page includes information produced in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and State Occupational Projections programs.

 
 
 
 
Vermont.gov State of Vermont Department of Labor