Ecologist
Also known as: environmental scientist, aquaculture ecologist, ecologists, wildlife ecologist, conservationist ecologist, conservationist scientist
About this occupation
Ecologists carry out assessments of the health and distribution of organisms, namely people, plants, and animals, and the relationship between organisms and their environment. Ecologists usually have a specialisation area, e.g. freshwater, marine, terrestrial, fauna, and flora about which they conduct research and perform relating tasks.
Essential skills and knowledge
- measure trees
- identify plants characteristics
- employ habitat survey techniques
- manage habitats
- conduct ecological surveys
- analyse ecological data
- environmental legislation
- ecology
- conduct ecological research
- biology
- write work-related reports
- organism taxonomy
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Industrial Ecologists (O*NET 19-2041.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$82,220 a year (2025), 89,250 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.3)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.6)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.2)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Conservation Scientists
- Water Resource Specialists
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Environmental Engineers
- Hydrologists
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.