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Industrial Ecologist

💰 Earn $81K-$133K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 48 Month Training

📈 6.1% Job Growth

Blend ecology with industry to create sustainable and efficient systems.
Drive positive environmental change by optimizing resource use in production.
Innovate to reduce industrial impact and enhance ecological harmony.

What Industrial Ecologists DoApply 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.

Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.

Industrial Ecologists Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationBachelor Degree

Career ProspectsExcellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training TimeOver 4 years

Job Openings7,300 Annually

Median earnings

California Median

$106,510

Most earn within this range

median ▾

$81K25th percentile

$133K75th percentile

National Median

$82,220

Most earn within this range

median ▾

$64K25th percentile

$108K75th percentile

Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Influencing or leading others
Thinking and problem solving

you value

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Job security

you are skilled in

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Judgment and Decision Making

Go Deeper: Industrial Ecologists Explained

Industrial EcologistExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

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