Occupations/19-2041.03
Industrial Ecologists
Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
63%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
36%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
30%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Task
Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
- Task
Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- Task
Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
These are core tasks from O*NET. The wording didn’t clearly split routine from human, so they are listed without that label.
Core tasks
- 01Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
- 02Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
- 03Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
- 04Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
- 05Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
- 06Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.57
- Degree of automation1.59
- Time sitting4.17
- Originality (ability)3.38
- Conflict situations2.39
- Hands-on objects/tools2.00
- Outdoors / weather1.91
- Disease exposure1.09
- Decision freedom4.26
Top abilities
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Deductive Reasoning4.12
- Written Expression4.00
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Oral Expression3.88
- Written Comprehension3.75
- Speech Clarity3.75
- Oral Comprehension3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening4.00
- Writing4.00
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics3.38
- Science3.62
- Critical Thinking3.88
- Active Learning3.62
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 90 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $60,100 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $66,536 2 yr $53,168 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $64,493 2 yr — Master's · CIP 03.01 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $63,749 2 yr $59,124 Bachelor's · CIP 03.01 |
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $13,800 | 9% | 92% | 1 yr $60,839 2 yr $58,673 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $68,200 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $59,288 2 yr $56,776 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $14,600 | 65% | 73% | 1 yr $57,318 2 yr $48,432 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $17,700 | 18% | 93% | 1 yr $52,941 2 yr $51,607 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $15,200 | 57% | 86% | 1 yr $52,941 2 yr $54,974 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $17,400 | 64% | 83% | 1 yr $52,289 2 yr — Master's · CIP 03.01 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $51,607 2 yr $48,041 Bachelor's · CIP 03.01 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr — 2 yr $50,270 Master's · CIP 03.01 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public | Environmental Studies 03.0103 | $17,500 | 45% | 85% | 1 yr $49,683 2 yr — Master's · CIP 03.01 |