Environmental Economists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Environmental Economists

Environmental Economists 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.

Salary
$120880
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

Environmental Economists 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.

  • 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.
  • Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
  • Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
Read more about what does an Environmental Economist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$116020 per year

Average hourly wage
$56 per hour


Environmental Economists with little to no experience tend to make between $58130 and $77270 while the more experienced ones can earn over $141780 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $65 $134,260
NY $61 $127,520
VA $61 $126,080
OH $60 $125,490
CA $60 $124,430

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Environmental Economist is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Environmental Economists are DC, NY, VA, OH and CA.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as an Environmental Economist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Doctoral degree

We asked other Environmental Economists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a PhD followed by a Master’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Agricultural Economics
Financial Mathematics
Economics, General
Applied Economics
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
Read more about how to become an Environmental Economist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Environmental Economist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
One of the highest paid careers in the world
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
69%

Is this job meaningful
65%


69% of Environmental Economists said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Entrepreneurs

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.



Learn more about Environmental Economists

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Environmental Economists job description, Environmental Economists salary, Environmental Economists information, what is the job of an Environmental Economist like, pros and cons about Environmental Economists, colleges and universities for Environmental Economists, is Environmental Economists the right career for me, careers in Social Science and Humanities

Similar careers

Agricultural Economist, Ecological Economist, Economist, Energy Economist, Environmental Economist, Environmental Protection Economist, Marine Resource Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Principal Associate, Principal Research Economist

Additional resources