Physical Scientists

How to become an Environmental Restoration Planner

Official title: Environmental Restoration Planners

Also called: Coastal and Estuary Specialist, Fisheries Habitat Restoration Specialist, Habitat Restoration Specialist, Marine Habitat Resources Specialist, Restoration Ecologist, Restoration Specialist, Watershed Coordinator

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

Main tasks

Develop environmental restoration project schedules and budgets.
Provide technical direction on environmental planning to energy engineers, biologists, geologists, or other professionals working to develop restoration plans or strategies.
Create habitat management or restoration plans, such as native tree restoration and weed control.
Conduct site assessments to certify a habitat or to ascertain environmental damage or restoration needs.
Collect and analyze data to determine environmental conditions and restoration needs.
Supervise and provide technical guidance, training, or assistance to employees working in the field to restore habitats.
Plan environmental restoration projects, using biological databases, environmental strategies, and planning software.
Communicate findings of environmental studies or proposals for environmental remediation to other restoration professionals.

How to become one

To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in natural science or a related field.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
College: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 26 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $82,220 a year The middle half earn $64,490 to $107,970.
About 93,400 people work in this job now, and about 99,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Environmental Restoration Planner?

To enter the occupation, environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in natural science or a related field.

How much does an Environmental Restoration Planner earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $82,220 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $64,490 to $107,970.

Is an Environmental Restoration Planner a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 93,400 to about 99,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Restoration Planner?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Environmental Restoration Planner?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.