DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to First Quarter, 2013

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	480	68	$21.91/hr	$0.88/hr	$14.41/hr	$17.00/hr	$20.67/hr	$25.53/hr	$29.96/hr
U S	30,890	710	$21.72/hr	$0.15/hr	$12.83/hr	$15.88/hr	$20.10/hr	$26.37/hr	$33.44/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Other Regional Data For Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities 290 $21.38/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 40 $21.81/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 20 $23.92/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 10 $11.36/hr N/A EDR 4 - West Central 10 $18.67/hr N/A EDR 9 - South Central 10 $21.86/hr N/A EDR 7E- East Central N/A N/A N/A EDR 6W- Upper Minnesota Valley N/A N/A N/A EDR 7W- Central N/A $18.80/hr N/A

• Collects samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, and asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels.
• Performs chemical and physical laboratory and field tests on collected samples to assess compliance with pollution standards, using test instruments.
• Examines and analyzes material for presence and concentration of contaminants such as asbestos in environment, using variety of microscopes.
• Calculates amount of pollutant in samples or computes air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
• Determines amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms and removing impurities from purification systems.
• Prepares samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
• Discusses test results and analyses with customers.
• Calibrates microscopes and test instruments.
• Develops procedures and directs activities of workers in laboratory.
• Records test data and prepares reports, summaries, and charts, that interpret test results and recommend changes.
• Sets up equipment or station to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
• Weighs, analyzes, and measures collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
• Conducts standardized tests to ensure materials and supplies used throughout power supply system meet processing and safety specifications.