Summary Report for:
19-2041.03 - Industrial Ecologists
Study or investigate industrial production and natural ecosystems to achieve high production, sustainable resources, and environmental safety or protection. May apply principles and activities of natural ecosystems to develop models for industrial systems.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks
- Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.
- Forecast future status or condition of ecosystems, based on changing industrial practices or environmental conditions.
- Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.
- Carry out environmental assessments in accordance with applicable standards, regulations, or laws.
- Conduct scientific protection, mitigation, or restoration projects to prevent resource damage, maintain the integrity of critical habitats, and minimize the impact of human activities.
- Create complex and dynamic mathematical models of population, community, or ecological systems.
- Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.
- Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- Investigate the impact of changed land management or land use practices on ecosystems.
- Model alternative energy investment scenarios to compare economic and environmental costs and benefits.
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health.
Employment data collected from Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health.
| Median wages (2008) | $28.72 hourly, $59,750 annual |
| Employment (2006) | 83,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) | 
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) | 42,000 additional employees |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2006-2016 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.