Environmental Economists

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Environmental Economists does

Environmental economists study how economic activity affects natural resources and ecosystems, designing policies to balance economic growth with environmental protection. They evaluate the costs of pollution, conservation, and climate change to guide sustainable business and government decisions.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a doctoral degree. About 8+ years of higher education.

Estimated cost of that path: ~$110,000. Estimated payback: ~4 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr