SOC 19-2041
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ35/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ84,930
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$80K
$50K โ $135K
Projected Growth
๐+4.4%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค82/100
High exposure
๐ก Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health face a risk score of 35/100 โ 9 points below the national average of 44. With 82/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $80K ($34K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 35/100, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai literature review and meta-analysis automation are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 84,930 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in collaborative scientific discourse and peer review and interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI literature review and meta-analysis automation
AI-generated written content replacing manual drafting
Generative AI producing marketing and creative copy
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review
Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise
Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments
Designing novel experiments and research methodologies
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
๐ป Technology Skills
Analytical or scientific software
Document management software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Computer aided design CAD software
Object or component oriented development software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Biology
English Language
Mathematics
Engineering and Technology
Law and Government
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 69% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers | 21 | $93K | 73% |
| Political Scientists | 25 | $139K | 80% |