Green Jobs

Take your passion for the environment, add to it the required training and you could have a green job in the not too distant future. Green jobs are those jobs that help the environment. Those working in green jobs protect the environment from further damage or work to repair the damage that has already been done. The Stimulus Package (officially called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), introduced by President Barack Obama and passed by Congress in 2009, is expected to create millions of green jobs. Here are some examples of green jobs:

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural engineers design agricultural machinery, equipment, sensors, processes and structures. They improve the processing of agricultural products and develop ways to conserve soil and water. One must earn a bachelor's degree in engineering with a concentration in agricultural engineering to work as an agricultural engineer. Agricultural engineers earned a median annual salary of $69,560 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming an Agricultural Engineer

Conservationist

Conservationists find ways to utilize the land while protecting natural resources. They work with landowners and governments. The minimum requirement to work as a conservationist is a bachelor's degree in ecology, natural resource management, agriculture, biology or environmental science. In 2009 conservationists' median annual earnings were $60,160.
Learn More About Becoming a Conservationist

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers use engineering principles to solve environmental problems such as pollution. To work in this field, one usually needs a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering. Environmental engineers earned a median annual salary of $77,040 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming an Environmental Engineer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists' goal is to identify, abate or eliminate pollutants and hazards to the environment or to the health of the population. They conduct research that will help them in this endeavor. Most employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a master's degree in environmental science, hydrology or a related natural science. Environmental scientists earned a median annual salary of $61,010 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming an Environmental Scientist

Environmental Technician

Environmental technicians perform laboratory and field tests in order to monitor the environment and look for sources of pollution. They are supervised by environmental scientists. Most jobs require an associate degree or certificate in applied science or science related technology. In 2009, environmental technicians earned a median annual salary of $40,790.
Learn More About Becoming an Environmental Technician

Geoscientist

Geoscientists study the earth's composition, structure and other physical aspects. Some help environmental scientists clean up and preserve the environment. One must have a master's degree in geology or earth science to work as a geoscientist. Geoscientists earned a median annual salary of $81,220 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming a Geoscientist

Hydrologist

Hydrologists search for groundwater and help environmental and other scientists preserve and cleanup the environment. One must have a master's degree in geoscience, environmental science or engineering with a concentration in hydrology or water sciences to work as a hydrologist. Hydrologists earned a median annual salary of $73,670 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming a Hydrologist

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design outdoor areas, for example residences, parks, shopping centers, school campuses, golf courses and parkways, to make them beautiful, functional and compatible with the natural environment. To practice as a landscape architect, one must have a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) or a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). Landscape architects earned a median annual salary of $60,560 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming a Landscape Architect

Urban or Regional Planner

Urban or regional planners help local governments decide how to best use their land and resources. Generally, to work as an urban or regional planner, one must have a master's degree in urban or regional planning from an accredited program. Urban and regional planners earned a median annual salary of $61,820 in 2009.
Learn More About Becoming an Urban and Regional Planner

^{Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/ (visited February 21, 2011).}

Explore more Careers By Field or Industry

Comparing Careers
	Minimum Education	License	Median Salary
Agricultural Engineer	Bachelor's	Required to work with the public	$69,560
Conservationist	Bachelor's	none	$60,160
Environmental Engineer	Bachelor's	Required to work with the public	$77,040
Environmental Scientist	Master's	none	$61,010
Environmental Technician	Associate or Certificate	none	$40,790
Geoscientist	Master's	Required to work with the public in some states	$81,220
Hydrologist	Master's	Required in some states	$73,670
Landscape Architect	Bachelor's	Required in almost all states	$60,560
Urban or Regional Planner	Master's	none	$61,820