CAREER
Industrial Ecologists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$73,230
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+7.8% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's degree
Career
What Industrial Ecologists 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.
Other Job Titles Industrial Ecologists May Have
Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist, Researcher
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
- Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
- Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
- Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Industrial Ecologists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (64%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Majors Related to Career
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.