Science
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$124,720
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$67k – $238k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Environmental Economists
Education
Typical entry: Master's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Environmental Economists Intern
Internship
$36,000
~4 mos to advance
Junior Environmental Economists
Entry / Junior
$67,360
~2 yrs to advance
Environmental Economists
Established
$124,720
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Environmental Economists
Senior
$181,390
Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.
Key skills
A typical 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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Science
Explore all- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- California Institute of Technology3% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.