Best Sustainability Degrees

Careers That are Environmentally Friendly

To address the climate change crisis and meet Paris Climate Agreement targets, societies across the world must work to decarbonize the global economy. Shifting to a greener economy can also generate many new jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) considers a job "green" if it either makes production processes more environmentally friendly or produces goods or services that conserve natural resources or benefit the environment. The BLS projects above-average job growth for green career paths such as environmental scientist and environmental specialist between 2023-2033.

This guide covers important information about the best sustainability degrees and potential careers for graduates.

Top 10 Green Degrees

• 1. Environmental architecture and environmental design
• 2. Environmental engineering
• 3. Environmental health sciences
• 4. Environmental Law
• 5. Environmental science and sustainability
• 6. Horticulture
• 7. Marine Sciences
• 8. Energy
• 9. Sustainable agriculture
• 10. Wildlife ecology

5 Reasons to Choose an Environmentally Friendly Major

Green degrees can lead to rewarding careers that boost the economy, improve public health, and reduce poverty and climate change. The following list outlines several ways that green degrees and careers support individual, social, and environmental wellbeing.

Career Maps for Green Degrees

Prospective students interested in sustainability can choose from many green degrees and career paths. Degrees in fields such as environmental science, environmental health, environmental law, and environmental engineering can support diverse green jobs in the private and public sectors.

Many of the following green degrees can lead to high-paying green jobs. For instance, environmental architects, environmental engineers, and environmental scientists earn above-average median annual salaries. Environmental lawyers often earn particularly high salaries. BLS salary data indicates that lawyers make a median annual salary of $145,760. See below for more information about the best sustainability degrees and careers.

Environmental Architecture and Environmental Design

This interdisciplinary degree prepares graduates to design sustainable buildings, landscapes, and cities. Learners take courses on topics like history, design theory, graphics, and technology. Environmental architecture and environmental design degrees often lead to jobs such as green architect, sustainable landscape designer, and urban designer.

• Green Architecture

  Green architects specialize in using sustainable practices and materials. These professionals design buildings and building methods that cause less damage to soil, air, water, and human health.

• Sustainable Landscape Designer

  These designers create regenerative and responsive landscapes that may restore local ecology. Sustainable landscapes can clean air and water, protect habitats, and sequester carbon.

• Urban Designer

  This green career combines landscape design, architecture, and city planning. Urban designers often design parks, streets, transportation systems, and landscapes. These professionals strive to create aesthetically pleasing and functional city spaces.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering students learn how to protect and improve human and environmental health. Learners complete science, engineering, environmental restoration, and sustainability coursework. This degree can support many green jobs, including environmental engineer or technician, environmental project manager, hydrologist, and hydrogeologist.

• Environmental Engineering Technician

  These professionals operate, test, and adjust environmental engineering devices that help prevent, reduce, or remediate environmental problems. They often support the work of environmental scientists and engineers.

• Environmental Project Manager

  These managers oversee environmental situations and projects. They may investigate potential problems, study safety measures, assess risks, and remediate designs.

• Hydrologist and Hydrogeologist

  Hydrologists study surface water, while hydrogeologists study groundwater. These experts often conduct field research, and they may work in the public or private sectors.

Environmental Health Sciences

Environmental health sciences learners study the environmental and human factors impacting human health. These programs often offer concentrations in areas such as environmental health biology, environmental chemistry, and environmental physics. Potential green jobs for graduates include environmental health scientists, environmental health and safety specialist, and industrial hygienist.

• Environmental Health Scientists

  These scientists identify and prevent environmental and public health problems and dangers. They design solutions that can better protect the environment and the public.

• Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

  This green job involves monitoring and improving company safety and efficiency processes. These specialists may help to design and conduct safety training, programs, and manuals that reduce workplace hazards and dangers.

• Industrial Hygienist

  This career focuses on increasing environmental and occupational health and safety in workplaces and communities. These professionals help companies safeguard occupational and environmental health.

Environmental Law

• Environmental Lawyer - Government

  Some environmental lawyers work for government regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Activities may include prosecuting corporations, negotiating standards and treaties, and drafting regulations.

• Environmental Lawyer - Nonprofit

  Many nonprofit organizations, human rights groups, and watchdog groups require legal expertise. Environmental lawyers sometimes help these organizations with class action lawsuits and community defense.

• Environmental Lawyer - Private

  Some environmental lawyers work for private individuals, groups, or corporations that must follow environmental regulations. These lawyers often create environmental impact statements, ensure regulatory compliance, and help produce corporate environmental policy.

Environmental Science and Sustainability

This green degree path teaches students how to practice environmental science field methods, conduct analyses, and use service-based learning techniques. Enrollees often complete coursework in biology, chemistry, hydrology, and environmental regulation and management. Environmental science and sustainability programs also typically require field-based internships. Graduates can pursue roles like climatologist, environmental chemist, and industrial ecologist.

• Climatologist and Climate Change Analyst - Government

  These scientists and analysts conduct planet climate research and/or analyze data. This research may focus on subfields such as ocean conditions, greenhouse gas emissions, polar ice caps, or temperatures.

• Environmental Chemist - Nonprofit

  These chemists test and monitor soil, air, and water to determine how chemicals enter and influence the environment. Some environmental chemists work for nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups, such as Chemists Without Borders, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and The Nature Conservancy.

• Industrial Ecologist - Private

  These professionals perform environment and pollution monitoring and investigation for companies. These green jobs usually entail collecting and testing data in laboratories and in the field. Industrial ecologists often collaborate with environmental specialists and scientists.

Green Job Resources