Your work. Your records.
Environmental Scientist Workplace Records Guide
Environmental scientists may collect measurements, interpret results and communicate findings through separate review stages. A workplace concern about a report or deadline should identify your role at each stage and distinguish preliminary observations from approved conclusions.
Call now(800) 800-5555Free initial case evaluation. Representation depends on work state and case eligibility. This guide explains record preparation; it does not determine whether a legal claim exists.
A record map for your role
What to organize first
Scope boundary
List the locations or periods you were assigned to assess in terms that do not expose restricted site information.
Review change
Record who requested a report revision and whether it concerned data, interpretation or presentation.
Missing input
Note when you reported unavailable samples, access or information and the response you received.
Start with the work you actually do
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
O*NET classifies this occupation as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (19-2041.00). Its description covers a typical occupation, not every workplace or individual job. It does not establish employee status, overtime eligibility or employer misconduct.
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.Source task 15219 · updated 08/2023
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.Source task 1530 · updated 08/2023
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.Source task 15218 · updated 08/2023
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.Source task 1517 · updated 08/2023
A reference point for your pay records
May 2025 wage estimates by state
Compare your pay records with published BLS estimates for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041). These describe an occupation across employers. They are not a required pay rate, an overtime calculation, or evidence of discrimination or unpaid wages.
Select your work state to see its published pay range. No personal pay information is requested or sent.
The 25th and 75th percentiles mark the middle half of the estimated wage distribution; the median is its midpoint. Actual pay can differ with experience, employer, location and duties. Hourly and annual figures are shown as published, without converting one into the other.
All published state estimates for this occupation
| State | Hourly 25th | Hourly median | Hourly 75th | Annual median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25.36 | $34.85 | $41.03 | $72,490 |
| Alaska | $36.68 | $44.21 | $55.00 | $91,960 |
| Arizona | $30.97 | $38.75 | $49.53 | $80,600 |
| Arkansas | $21.60 | $27.51 | $42.65 | $57,220 |
| Connecticut | $33.75 | $39.46 | $51.62 | $82,070 |
| Delaware | $27.47 | $31.10 | $37.01 | $64,690 |
| Florida | $23.49 | $29.24 | $39.23 | $60,830 |
| Georgia | $32.31 | $41.21 | $55.57 | $85,710 |
| Hawaii | $29.16 | $38.23 | $44.53 | $79,510 |
| Idaho | $29.75 | $33.82 | $41.18 | $70,350 |
| Indiana | $25.28 | $31.11 | $45.63 | $64,700 |
| Iowa | $29.85 | $37.88 | $43.79 | $78,780 |
| Kansas | $30.80 | $37.60 | $51.35 | $78,210 |
| Kentucky | $26.96 | $34.16 | $37.91 | $71,040 |
| Louisiana | $28.13 | $33.57 | $45.88 | $69,820 |
| Maine | $27.15 | $31.96 | $37.53 | $66,480 |
| Michigan | $29.38 | $36.58 | $45.44 | $76,080 |
| Minnesota | $29.60 | $42.31 | $50.89 | $88,000 |
| Mississippi | $22.60 | $27.78 | $37.31 | $57,780 |
| Missouri | $26.44 | $29.35 | $35.04 | $61,050 |
| Montana | $31.88 | $38.59 | $44.78 | $80,260 |
| Nebraska | $26.60 | $30.79 | $38.45 | $64,040 |
| New Hampshire | $32.00 | $38.85 | $48.16 | $80,810 |
| New Mexico | $36.58 | $41.65 | $50.12 | $86,630 |
| New York | $32.23 | $39.50 | $50.15 | $82,160 |
| North Carolina | $29.72 | $35.64 | $45.19 | $74,130 |
| North Dakota | $32.22 | $40.66 | $44.40 | $84,570 |
| Ohio | $29.91 | $37.76 | $45.73 | $78,540 |
| Oklahoma | $28.77 | $36.49 | $43.11 | $75,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $29.05 | $36.59 | $46.11 | $76,110 |
| Rhode Island | $38.35 | $48.43 | $59.22 | $100,730 |
| South Dakota | $30.24 | $32.80 | $38.40 | $68,230 |
| Tennessee | $30.13 | $36.94 | $47.69 | $76,840 |
| Texas | $32.04 | $44.23 | $61.72 | $92,000 |
| Utah | $34.23 | $43.61 | $60.09 | $90,710 |
| Vermont | $30.59 | $37.24 | $46.84 | $77,460 |
| Virginia | $32.71 | $39.53 | $49.40 | $82,230 |
| West Virginia | $30.75 | $39.47 | $49.24 | $82,100 |
| Wisconsin | $30.08 | $35.01 | $41.64 | $72,820 |
| Wyoming | $29.70 | $35.60 | $40.88 | $74,050 |
“Not published” preserves unavailable or suppressed source cells. “Above reporting limit” preserves a top-coded source value without inventing a number. A missing state estimate does not establish service eligibility. The data describe wage and salary employment; they do not measure self-employment income.
Source: BLS May 2025 state workbook · OEWS tables · BLS technical notes. Use your own schedule, pay statement and compensation terms to identify the question you want reviewed.
Define the field and analysis scope
Record the sampling or research task, date range and methods you were directed to use. Note access restrictions or missing information you reported. Do not imply that findings from one location or period cover conditions you did not evaluate.
Trace report revisions
Describe the result you submitted, requested revisions and who approved the final communication. Keep a change in interpretation separate from correction of a data error. If duties later changed, record that employment event and its stated explanation independently.
Respect site and data restrictions
Do not remove confidential site maps, raw datasets, personal health information or unpublished reports. Use permitted employment correspondence and version references. Identify the official data custodian rather than making a private archive of field or laboratory material.
Choose your next step
Review the workplace retaliation guide, unpaid wages guide, or discrimination guide if those concerns fit your experience. A job title alone does not establish a claim.
Call now(800) 800-5555Current service-state coverage
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