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Behind environmental research and eco-friendly government initiatives, environmental science technicians make their mark. These specialized researchers collect and analyze data ranging from air pollution to water contamination to waste management. Working under the supervision of environmental scientists, technicians use sophisticated tools to ultimately give regulators and private industry a better idea of how pollutants are managed.

Environmental science technician salary: 2012 information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median wages for environmental science and protection technicians, including health technicians, were $41,380 in 2010. The top 10 percent of technicians in the field earned $67,630. Top-paying industries for environmental science technicians include, with mean annual wages,:

1. Electric power generation, transmission and distribution: $65,630
2. Oil and gas extraction: $62,330
3. Basic chemical manufacturing: $53,270
4. State government: $47,520
5. Local government: $47,190

Top paying states for environmental science technicians are:

1. District of Columbia: $63,180
2. Nevada: $55,970
3. California: $54,430
4. Tennessee: $51,930
5. Colorado: $51,480

It's important to note that, while wages may be high in a state like California, a higher cost of living can cancel out the bigger paycheck. The following three cities and state feature a lower cost of living with relatively high wages for environmental science technicians, as reported by the BLS:

1. Knoxville, Tenn.: $57,600
2. Omaha, Neb.: $44,110
3. Ann Arbor, Mich.: $42,010

The BLS also reports the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for environmental science technicians:

1. Springfield, Ill.: $64,800
2. Columbia, SC: $40,730
3. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Wash.: $60,490
4. Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Mass.-N.H. NECTA Division: $56,170
5. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.: $35,170

GlassDoor.com reports salary 2012 ranges for environmental science technicians in different careers across the U.S.:

• Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority (Canton, Ga.): $30,000-$33,000
• VeruTEK Technologies (Bloomfield, Conn.): $45,000-$50,000
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (Arlington, Va.): $39,000-$42,000

Of course, the wages above are only part of the consideration when you're thinking about investing in environmental science technician training; however, it's important to think about how choosing to live in a different city or work in a certain industry can drastically affect your yearly income.

Environmental science technician schools and training

While an associate degree or a certificate in applied science or a science-related technology is typically required for environmental science technician jobs, some employers demand more. O*NET reports that 44 percent of environmental science and protection technician survey respondents held a bachelor's degree, 20 percent held a master's degree and only 13 percent held an associate degree. However, the survey includes technicians across their careers, from entry level workers to the most advanced specialists.

Career outlook for environmental science technicians

Jobs for environmental science technicians are poised to see big gains in the coming years, with the BLS projecting 10,100 new jobs to enter the industry between 2008 and 2018. That's a job growth of 29 percent. In comparison, jobs for forest and conservation technicians are projected to grow only 9 percent. Increasing regulations for pollution and environmental monitoring are said to be behind the expected employment boost.