What do 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 known as:
Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist, Researcher
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Ranks #53 in job growth rate220Job Openings
Ranks #17 in net job growth
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- Bachelor's degree (61%)
- Master's degree (32%)
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (7%)
- Associate's degree (<1%)
- Some college, no degree (<1%)
- High school diploma equivalent (<1%)
- Less than high school diploma (<1%)
Most Popular Majors that prepare Industrial Ecologists
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#1
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Degrees Granted
7,452
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Female Students
4,388
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Male Students
3,064
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Median Starting Salary
$43,300
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#2
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Degrees Granted
6,961
-
Female Students
4,472
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Male Students
2,489
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Median Starting Salary
$44,450
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#3
-
Degrees Granted
1,320
-
Female Students
801
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Male Students
519
-
Median Starting Salary
$47,533
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#4
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Degrees Granted
367
-
Female Students
225
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Male Students
142
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Median Starting Salary
$51,200
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#5
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Degrees Granted
216
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Female Students
141
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Male Students
75
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Median Starting Salary
$47,533
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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.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
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.
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.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
- Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
- Identify sustainable business practices.
- Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
- Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
- Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
- Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
- Communicate results of environmental research.
- Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
- Develop technical or scientific databases.
- Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
- Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
- Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
- Conduct research on social issues.
- Plan environmental research.
- Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
- Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
- Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.
- Analyze environmental data.
- Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.
- Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
- Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
- Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
This page includes data from:
Career data: O*NET 28.3 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
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
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