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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Environmental Economists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Job zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-3011.01

What the work is

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

On a typical day

  • Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
  • Monitor or analyze market and environmental trends.
  • Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
  • Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
  • Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
  • Write research proposals and grant applications to obtain private or public funding for environmental and economic studies.

What it pays

$107,450
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $69,260
Experienced workers reach $194,840
  1. $69k10th
  2. $84k25th
  3. $107kMedian
  4. $124k75th
  5. $195k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $69,260, 25th $83,900, Median $107,450, 75th $123,690, 90th $194,840

About 50 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+17.2%

employment change in the Alamo region, 64 to 75 jobs · U.S. +1%

4

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 900

64

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 17,600

Typical entry education: Master's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Writing4.4
  2. Reading Comprehension4.8
  3. Mathematics4.8
  4. Active Listening4.3
  5. Critical Thinking4.3
  6. Active Learning4.0
  7. Judgment and Decision Making4.0
  8. Complex Problem Solving3.9

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree11%
  2. Master's degree41%
  3. Doctoral or professional48%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  2. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  3. Economics

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  4. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  5. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

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