Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 427 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 68% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
AI could do much of this on its own
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
AI could do much of this on its own
Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Biological Technicians
Very similar workslightly less pay636 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$62,920 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Biology
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Chemical Technicians
Very similar workslightly less pay355 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$62,603 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Writing
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Equipment Maintenance
- Science
- Repairing
- Equipment Selection
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Very similar work+32% pay506 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 32% more—$84,461 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Biology
New skills to build
- Geography
Nuclear Technicians
Very similar work+108% pay751 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 108% more—$133,415 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Physics
- Mechanical
- Operations Monitoring
Conservation Scientists
Similar work+23% pay122 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$79,144 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Geography
- Education and Training
- History and Archeology
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Similar work+53% pay1,913 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 53% more—$98,402 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Biology
New skills to build
- Education and Training
- Building and Construction
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Design
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Similar workabout the same pay67 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about the same—$64,290 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Similar work+2% pay2,871 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 2% more—$65,449 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Chemistry
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operations Monitoring
- Repairing
- Public Safety and Security
Managers, All Other
Somewhat similar work+165% pay5,092 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 165% more—$170,007 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
Civil Engineers
Somewhat similar work+66% pay1,146 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 66% more—$106,668 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
New skills to build
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Somewhat similar work+17% pay401 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 17% more—$75,073 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Customer and Personal Service
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Extent Flexibility
- Building and Construction
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Transportation
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Somewhat similar work+62% pay152 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 62% more—$104,134 vs your $64,142 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Physics