What Does an Environmental Consultant Do? [Career Overview & FAQs]

What if you could work toward protecting our natural resources and promoting environmental justice while enjoying the flexibility and freedom of a consultant?

It’s a rewarding position that’s in high demand across many different industries. That’s because more businesses are under pressure to meet new regulations and to adopt environmentally-friendly practices — such as committing to achieve lower emission targets. However, not every organization can utilize the same internal resources to identify or achieve their goals.

Organizations that lack dedicated environmental, social and governance (ESG) personnel rely upon environmental consultants to collect and analyze data, provide recommendations and advise on courses of action. It’s a vital role that serves to protect our natural world and helps organizations of all sizes be more efficient and innovative.

Here’s what you need to know about this increasingly important career.

What Is Environmental Consulting?

Professional consultants and consulting firms help businesses and other organizations improve efficiency, address challenges and optimize operations. They provide specialized knowledge and offer fresh perspectives to help establish and meet important goals.

As the world looks for solutions to our mounting climate crisis, governments and businesses have to find impactful and sustainable ways to reduce their impact on the natural environment. Just like any other consultant, environmental consultants provide the necessary expertise and experience to offer viable solutions to environmental challenges.

Also referred to as eco consultants or environmental management consultants, environmental consultants provide a broad range of services — from testing and data analysis to developing guidelines and crafting policies — to ensure that their clients are able to abide by relevant environmental regulations and grow in a way that not only minimizes negative impacts on the environment, but helps to regenerate our natural resources.

There are many different types of environmental consulting, including:

• Assessments on air, water and soil quality
• Assessments on environmental impacts
• Advising on implementing sustainable energy solutions
• Recommendations for biological and chemical hazard management
• Guidance on human health and safety regulations
• Recommendations for regulatory compliance
• Developing effective waste management policies

What Does an Environmental Consultant Do?

Environmental consultants assess and address environmental issues for both public and private sector clients. Generally, environmental consultants will meet with their clients to understand their needs and overall goals. They’ll then gather and analyze data to identify potential environmental risks and impacts, which can involve collecting their own data through field work and reading environmental impact reports.

Environmental consultants will then provide strategic recommendations on how their client can achieve their goals, whether it’s to increase efficiencies, mitigate environmental impacts, implement remediation plans or some combination of actions. They play an essential role in helping businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring that their clients avoid fines and other penalties.

Specific responsibilities can include:

• Performing environmental impact assessments (EIA) — Evaluating the potential environmental effects of projects, such as construction or energy development, and proposing mitigation strategies​
• Performing compliance audits — Ensuring that their clients adhere to environmental laws and regulations, including waste management, air and water quality standards
• Developing remediation plans — Providing guidance to clients for cleaning up contaminated sites or restoring natural habitats, such as soil remediation or habitat restoration​
• Conducting research — Staying current on environmental trends, new environmental policies and updated laws and regulations
• Advising the public — Coordinating public reviews of impact assessment and participating in public hearings on major projects
• Offering client education and training — Designing and conducting training programs on environmental management and compliance to help organizations better understand their obligations​
• Communicating complex concepts in simple terms — Translating environmental regulations so their clients can better understand their obligations and how to comply with applicable laws and policies

Like any business consultants, environmental consultants can work in many different industries and specialize in many different areas. They can contract with all types of organizations, from government agencies to private enterprises, and be hired for either short- or long-term projects.

How Much Do Environmental Consultants Make?

As with most positions, the exact salary for an environmental consultant will vary based on job requirements, level of experience, geographic location and industry.

• Glassdoor lists a range between $58,000 and $100,000*
• Salary.com lists a range between $64,040 and $84,259*
• Payscale lists a range between $47,000 and $102,000*

* Salary values were retrieved in October 2024

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics considers environmental consultants to be part of their Environmental Scientists and Specialists category, which is predicted to enjoy a faster-than-average 7% growth from 2023 to 2033.

These are inspiring numbers, but it should also be said that working as an environmental consultant is more than just building a professional career. Environmental consulting plays an essential role in commitment to improving health and wellness for the environment and our communities. Working in this field means you’re able to make real, meaningful contributions in whichever industry you consult for.

What Skills Are Needed to Start a Career as an Environmental Consultant?

Environmental consultants need a blend of technical and interpersonal skills to be successful.

Important technical skills can include:

• Data analysis — Proficiency in analyzing environmental data, such as pollution levels or ecosystem impacts, is crucial for making informed recommendations​.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) — Some positions may require working with GIS, an essential tool for mapping environmental data, analyzing spatial information and planning projects related to land use or environmental impact assessments​.
• Sampling and fieldwork — Knowing how to effectively and accurately collect soil, water and air samples, as well as conducting environmental surveys, is key for on-site assessments​.
• Regulatory knowledge — Understanding environmental laws and regulations is necessary to ensure consultants stay compliant and advise clients effectively​.
• Project management — Managing multiple environmental projects, including budgeting, timelines and stakeholder coordination, is essential for success, especially with long-term consulting projects.

Important interpersonal and organizational skills include:

• Communication — Providing verbal presentations and writing reports about technical issues in a manner that makes sense to non-experts.
• Collaboration — Working across different teams, from project managers to marketers, to ensure that all stakeholders understand their compliance responsibilities.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills — Understanding how to approach a client’s challenges and innovate effective solutions and strategies is a central responsibility.
• Organizational and planning skills — Consultants need to be capable of managing all aspects of a consulting project, including timelines, budgets and leading cross-functional teams.

What Qualifications Are Needed?

Exact qualifications for an environmental consultant position will vary, especially across different industries. In general, a qualified environmental consultant will have earned:

• A degree from an accredited college or university program
  To join a consulting firm or establish yourself as a consultant, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as environmental science, environmental studies, environmental engineering, ecology, biology or geology.
  
  A master’s degree may be helpful when applying for more advanced positions, which may require specialized knowledge in areas such as environmental law, environmental policy, sustainability and energy management.
  
  Advanced degrees can also provide important skills and experience for understanding different industries and approaching environmental challenges in innovative ways. Transdisciplinary programs such as the Master of Science in Engineering, Sustainability and Health (MESH) can provide powerful insights into other disciplines, help build collaboration skills and provide important experience in developing comprehensive solutions.
• Specific industry certifications
  Industry certification provides environmental consultants with a greater understanding of their fields. As a resource, they’re a valuable way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. The National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP) offers several certifications related to sustainability and the environment, including
  • Certified Sustainability and Resilience Professional
  • Associate Environmental Professional
  • Registered Environmental Property Assessor
  • Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer
  • Registered Environmental Manager

Who Hires Environmental Consultants?

As an environmental consultant you may be self-employed or work as part of a consulting company. As a self-employed consultant you can market yourself as an independent contractor. However, earning clients can be a challenge without prior experience or a network of contacts.

You can also apply to work with a consulting firm. You’ll have less freedom when working as part of a firm, but you’ll also work on larger projects with a diverse array of clients. Some of the largest consulting firms in the world now have teams dedicated to environmental and sustainability consulting. Some of the more notable firms include:

As for which clients they work for, environmental consultants can find work across a wide variety of fields, including:

A search of different job aggregator sites* including Indeed and Glassdoor found job listings at:

* Search was conducted in October 2024

How Do I Become an Environmental Consultant?

There are many paths by which you could become a consultant. You could jump straight into consulting work after earning a college degree, or work within an industry for a few years before branching out as a consultant. For some guidance, consider following these general steps:

1. Study a relevant field and earn a college degree — Build foundational knowledge by pursuing a degree in environmental science, biology, geology, chemistry or a related field. Look for chances to specialize in areas such as ecology, environmental law and environmental policy. Many environmental consultants also benefit from minors or coursework in fields like business, communications or data analysis, which can help when managing projects or presenting findings​.
2. Gain experience through internships or volunteering — Look for internships, volunteer opportunities or part-time jobs with environmental agencies, non-profits or consulting firms to build entry-level experience. These roles offer hands-on opportunities and practical experience in data collection, environmental monitoring and fieldwork. Volunteering with conservation projects, local government initiatives or environmental NGOs can also help build a strong work portfolio.
3. Work your way up through supporting roles — Once you’ve found employment with an environmental consulting firm or within the environmental department of an organization, look for opportunities to take on greater responsibilities. Initially, you might assist with conducting environmental impact assessments (EIA), soil sampling, air and water quality monitoring or writing environmental reports. Over time you can transition into leadership or project manager roles, where you’ll take on greater responsibilities such as coordinating teams, managing client relationships and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations​.
4. Earn relevant certifications — Certifications can greatly enhance your credibility and job prospects as you advance. Certifications not only showcase your specialized knowledge, they also demonstrate a commitment to staying current with industry standards. Aside from the NREP certifications, other useful certifications include:
   • Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) — Demonstrates advanced expertise in environmental issues
   • LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) — For those focusing on sustainable building practices​
   • OSHA’s Certified Environmental Specialist — Knowledge of health and safety in safety and environmental work fields
5. Collaborate with mentors and peers — As a consultant, collaboration is essential to your job responsibilities. The more opportunities to have to work with other professionals, the better you’ll be able to work across industries, build your reputation and arrive at innovative and sustainable solutions. Joining a transdisciplinary degree program such as MESH can bolster your experience and help you develop a more nuanced perspective on environmental matters, from environmental engineering and policy creation to effective communication and promoting issues of environmental justice.

Visit our program page to learn more about how you can enrich your career by working with other passionate change-makers in a transdisciplinary environment.

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