Science & ResearchO*NET: 19-4042.00
Will AI Replace Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health?
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
79out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
79/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
4/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
20
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- ▸Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
- ▸Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
- ▸Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
- ▸Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
- ▸Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- ▸Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (7)
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
- Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
- Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
- Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
- Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
- Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
👤Requires Humans (2)
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
⚡AI-Assisted (11)
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
- Develop testing procedures.
Key Skills Analysis
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Science
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Related Occupations
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
58/100 — Medium Risk
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
40/100 — Medium Risk
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
43/100 — Medium Risk
Environmental Engineers
36/100 — Low Risk
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
85/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 79/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research