Environmental Geosciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental Geosciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex interactions between Earth’s natural systems and human activity. This program equips students with the scientific and technical expertise needed to analyze, manage, and mitigate environmental challenges rooted in geological processes and anthropogenic impacts.
- Geology: The study of Earth’s solid materials, rock formations, and the processes that shape the planet’s surface and subsurface structures.
- Hydrology: The examination of water movement, distribution, and quality across terrestrial, atmospheric, and subsurface environments.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): The use of spatial data technologies to map, analyze, and visualize environmental patterns and resource distributions.
- Environmental/Natural Resource Management: Strategies for the sustainable use, protection, and restoration of natural ecosystems and finite resources.
- Hazard Identification and Mitigation: Techniques for assessing geological risks—such as landslides, earthquakes, and flooding—and developing proactive response and resilience plans.
- Environmental Law and Policy: The framework of regulations, governance structures, and legal standards that guide environmental protection and land-use decisions.
- Sustainability Studies: A systems-based approach to balancing ecological integrity, economic development, and social equity for long-term planetary health.
- Regulatory Agency Compliance: Understanding the protocols and reporting requirements set by environmental agencies to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local standards.
Environmental Geosciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental Geosciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental Geosciences degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,743,720 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 19-2042 | $99,240 | $58,790 - $178,880 | 22,510 | $47.71 |
| Geographers 19-3092 | $97,200 | $62,390 - $133,680 | 1,380 | $46.73 |
| Hydrologists 19-2043 | $92,060 | $60,010 - $139,420 | 5,720 | $44.26 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1053 | $87,710 | $50,670 - $164,290 | 7,130 | N/A |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 19-2041 | $80,060 | $50,130 - $134,830 | 84,930 | $38.49 |
| Compliance Officers 13-1041 | $78,420 | $46,230 - $130,030 | 397,770 | $37.70 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
Environmental Geosciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,146 in Louisiana to $111,108 in California—a 65% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,743,720 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Environmental Geosciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Environmental Geosciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Environmental Geosciences is found at Texas A & M University, College Station (44 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (17 graduates), The College of Wooster (10 graduates), Michigan Technological University (MTU) (7 graduates), and Trinity University (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 96 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
44 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| The College of Wooster |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Wooster, Ohio | Private | wooster.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
3 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Juniata College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental Geosciences programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental Geosciences degree?
Salaries for Environmental Geosciences graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $111,108 compared to $67,146 in Louisiana. Approximately 1,743,720 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Environmental Geosciences programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Environmental Geosciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas A & M University, College Station (44 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (17 graduates), and The College of Wooster (10 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Environmental Geosciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,743,720 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Interdisciplinary Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Interdisciplinary field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
History and Literature
A program with a general synthesis of history and the language and literature of one or more countries or regions or a specialization...
History and Political Science
A program with a general synthesis of history and political science or a specialization which draws from history and political science. Includes instruction...
Linguistics and Anthropology
A program that focuses on the study of the anthropological, historical, and sociological context of language with a particular emphasis on language use...
Linguistics and Computer Science
A program that focuses on the relationship between computer and human language and computational techniques applied to natural language. Includes instruction in computer...
Mathematical Economics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematical methods to the development of economic theory, models, and quantitative analysis. Includes instruction in...
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral...