Environmental Economists
SOC code 19-3011 · O*NET-SOC 19-3011.01 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Environmental Economists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$124,720
a year
Hourly
$59.96
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$142,130
$68.33 per hour
Middle 50%
$89,330 – $174,720
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$67,360 – $238,060
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
17,790
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Economists”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $67,360
- $32.38/hr
- 25th percentile
- $89,330
- $42.95/hr
- Median percentile
- $124,720
- $59.96/hr
- 75th percentile
- $174,720
- $84.00/hr
- 90th percentile
- $238,060
- $114.45/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+1%
Growing about as fast as average
17,600
jobs in 2024
17,800
projected for 2034
About 200 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an environmental economist do?
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
- Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
- Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
- Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
- Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
- Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
- Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
How to become an environmental economist
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 44% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree44%
- Master's Degree41%
- Bachelor's Degree11%
- Post-Doctoral Training4%
Common questions
How much does an environmental economist earn?
The national median is $124,720 a year. The full range runs from $67,360 at the 10th percentile to $238,060 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an environmental economist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is environmental economist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Writing4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics4.7/5
- Economics and Accounting4.4/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.