Physical Scientists

How to become an Industrial Ecologist

Official title: Industrial Ecologists

Also called: Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Protection Agency Counselor, Research Scientist, Researcher

Apply 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.

Main tasks

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.
Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.
Redesign linear, or open-loop, systems into cyclical, or closed-loop, systems so that waste products become inputs for new processes, modeling natural ecosystems.
Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.

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 Industrial Ecologist?

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 Industrial Ecologist 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 Industrial Ecologist 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 Industrial Ecologist?

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

Will AI change the work of an Industrial Ecologist?

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.