Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
SOC Code: 19-2041
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health carries a 36% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $80,060 and +4.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 90,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 36% AI exposure, Environmental scientists and specialists, including health sits 1 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 56% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Environmental scientists and specialists, including health sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health has ai exposure of 36%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health (SOC 19-2041) carries an AI exposure score of 36%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 90,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.4% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $80,060, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Environmental scientists and specialists, including health. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
- 2. Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
- 3. Develop environmental restoration project schedules and budgets.
- 4. Provide technical direction on environmental planning to energy engineers, biologists, geologists, or other professionals working to develop restoration plans or strategies.
- 5. Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
- 6. Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- 7. Create habitat management or restoration plans, such as native tree restoration and weed control.
- 8. Conduct site assessments to certify a habitat or to ascertain environmental damage or restoration needs.
- 9. Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
- 10. Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
- Science
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Physics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Biology
- Geography
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health has an AI exposure score of 36%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Environmental scientists and specialists, including health is projected to grow by 4.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 90,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
Key skills for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Environmental scientists and specialists, including health earn?
The median annual wage for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health is $80,060, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
The typical entry-level education for Environmental scientists and specialists, including health is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Environmental scientists and specialists, including health?
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).