Environmental Consultant: Salary and Job Description

Ensuring that organizations work to reduce negative impacts on the environment isn’t just a moral imperative to keep our planet healthy; it can also reduce the risk of incurring fines for breaking government regulations. In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified and treated around 95 million pounds of pollutants, resulting in violators owing over $300 million in penalties. Additionally, consumers are also increasingly conscious of a business’ harmful environmental effects, which can potentially impact an organization’s public image.

Environmental consultants can help businesses prevent regulatory violations and advise them on how to improve their policies by promoting conservation measures that can positively impact the environment. Becoming an environmental consultant requires a strong understanding of how actions affect the environment, how communities and public health are affected, and what actions organizations can take to reduce adverse effects.

Individuals who are interested in becoming environmental consultants should consider the key responsibilities, salary potential and educational requirements, including how they may benefit from earning a post-baccalaureate certificate in public health program to expand their knowledge.

What Does an Environmental Consultant Do?

Environmental consultants help assess and advise clients on how their businesses and operations may impact the environment. Through their extensive expertise on the environment and how it impacts populations, they help companies and government agencies reduce their environmental impact and improve their conservation efforts. They also help businesses stay within government regulations to reduce potential fines from agencies like the EPA.

Whether working for a consulting firm or independently, environmental consultants evaluate an organization’s policies and audit its daily operations to identify any adverse environmental impacts. For example, they may view areas in which a company’s accidental runoff could lead to environmental toxins contaminating local water supplies. After gathering this information, they present it to their clients with suggestions on altering their policies and operations.

Environmental Consultant Work Environment

Environmental consultants typically work with firms that partner with businesses and government agencies. They can also open an independent consulting firm and seek clients on a contractual basis.

An environmental consultant’s job duties often involve writing reports or researching policies related to their consulting efforts. Depending on their employers, which may include manufacturing or construction companies, they may also visit jobsites to observe their day-to-day operations and check for any environmental infractions or areas for improvement.

Environmental Consultant Skills

Environmental consultants use hard and soft skills to relay environmental research and policy information to those in a position to make changes. Developing these skills may also contribute to a potential environmental consultant salary increase, as proven job performance could allow professionals to negotiate higher pay options.

The following are a few skills environmental consultants use regularly and may be worth developing:

Environmental Knowledge: Environmental consultants should have a deep understanding of environmental concerns and related policies so that they can provide accurate and actionable consulting advice. They should also understand how their client interacts with the environment to provide targeted advice on aspects their client’s can make a positive environmental impact.
Communication: Environmental consultants use oral and written communication skills to relay information, often to those with a limited background in environmental issues. They should be able to translate complex environmental concepts into easy-to-understand language.
Public Speaking: Environmental consultants often provide information to clients through presentations or reports, whether to companies or government agencies. They aim to present this information convincingly and should feel comfortable and confident while presenting.
Attention to Detail: A client may not understand how seemingly small issues could lead to more significant environmental concerns; therefore, consultants must pay close attention to minor details that could cause issues or infractions during their consultation.
Problem-Solving: Some clients hire environmental consultants to solve a particular problem, whether due to not meeting EPA standards or to prevent environmental accidents that impact their businesses. These concerns may be critical to the role, so consultants may need to frame their input to involve clients’ specific problems.

Educational Requirements for an Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants can benefit from a foundational education to help showcase their expertise and knowledgeable background to employers. Whether they want to join consulting firms or start their own business, most environmental consultants seek bachelor’s degrees in chemistry, biology or environmental studies.

Given the depth of environmental research and policy knowledge necessary to provide strong, actionable advice, employers may look for an environmental consultant with more advanced education. For example, a post-baccalaureate certificate in public health program may provide the opportunity to delve into research topics on how the environment may impact public health and how different environments may create health disparities in differing populations.

A post-baccalaureate certificate program can help students interested in a public health career, such as environmental consulting, learn more about the field before determining whether to pursue a more advanced education, such as a master’s degree.

Environmental Consultant Salary and Job Outlook

The median annual salary for environmental consultants is around $64,200, according to 2024 data from the compensation website Payscale. However, environmental consultant salary expectations may vary due to employer, location and experience. For example, those with more significant consulting experience in the field may be able to negotiate a higher rate or salary based on their successful consulting results.

The job outlook for environmental consultants is positive, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noting that environmental scientist and specialist careers are projected to grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032. This growth rate is higher than the 3 percent average for all careers. The BLS suggests that this growth rate is based on the increase in public concern over environmental impacts by companies, and those looking to stay within regulation standards and maintain good public images will continue seeking professional aid.

Advise the Future of Public Health

Understanding the environmental consultant salary potential and the position’s role is the first step in determining whether this career suits your goals. For those who’ve already earned their bachelor’s degrees and want to learn more about a public health career and its intersection with the environment, consider the benefits of Augusta University Online’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Public Health program.

The program covers various subjects in environmental health, biostatistics and epidemiology at a master’s level to prepare you for more advanced education or to jump-start your career as an environmental consultant. Those who do decide to continue their education beyond this program may be able to apply its coursework toward earning their master’s degree in public health, allowing for a seamless transition of education.

Discover how you can impact change with AU Online.

Sources:
Indeed, “Environmental Consulting Jobs: Salary and Career Paths”
Indeed, How to Become an Environmental Consultant
Payscale, Average Environmental Consultant Salary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Environmental Scientists and Specialists
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Annual Results for Fiscal Year 2022