Industrial Ecologists
Medium49.08%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$48,580
Median$78,980
High (90th %)$133,660
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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.
The occupation "Industrial Ecologists" (slug: "industrial-ecologists") has an automation risk of 49.1%, which is very close to its base risk of 50.0%. This near parity suggests that while a substantial portion of industrial ecology tasks are exposed to automation, there remains a significant component of the job that resists full automation. The primary factors influencing automatable risk stem from routine, data-driven tasks and structured analysis common within the discipline, but these are balanced by the need for creative and adaptive problem-solving skills in more complex ecological assessments. Among the most automatable tasks for industrial ecologists are: identifying environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects; developing strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impacts of industrial processes; and analyzing system changes to improve environmental performance while avoiding unintended consequences. These tasks are highly data-dependent and often follow established frameworks or rely on large datasets that artificial intelligence and automation can quickly process and model. As automation and advanced AI increasingly excel at pattern recognition, environmental data analysis, and optimization, such activities become more susceptible to replacement by technology. On the other hand, the occupation remains resilient to automation in areas demanding high originality, complex judgment, and nuanced investigation. Tasks such as investigating the adaptability of animal and plant species to environmental changes, conducting thermodynamic analyses in various systems, and examining environmental accidents for ecological impact inherently require specialized expertise, creativity, and context-sensitive reasoning—skills currently beyond the reach of most AI. The identified bottleneck skill, "Originality" (with levels of 3.4% and 4.0%), underscores this resistance; these relatively low percentages highlight the ongoing necessity for human-driven innovation and adaptive thinking. As a result, industrial ecologists will continue to play a crucial role where unpredictable variables and unique problem-solving are required, even as automation addresses more repetitive or structured aspects of their work.
Filter by Automatable Status
Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
Partially Automatable
Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
Partially Automatable
Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
Partially Automatable
Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
Partially Automatable
Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
Partially Automatable
Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.
Partially Automatable
Redesign linear, or open-loop, systems into cyclical, or closed-loop, systems so that waste products become inputs for new processes, modeling natural ecosystems.
Partially Automatable
Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
Partially Automatable
Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.
Partially Automatable
Monitor the environmental impact of development activities, pollution, or land degradation.
Partially Automatable
Perform analyses to determine how human behavior can affect, and be affected by, changes in the environment.
Partially Automatable
Recommend methods to protect the environment or minimize environmental damage from industrial production practices.
Partially Automatable
Translate the theories of industrial ecology into eco-industrial practices.
Partially Automatable
Develop alternative energy investment scenarios to compare economic and environmental costs and benefits.
Partially Automatable
Carry out environmental assessments in accordance with applicable standards, regulations, or laws.
Partially Automatable
Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
Partially Automatable
Create complex and dynamic mathematical models of population, community, or ecological systems.
Partially Automatable
Evaluate the effectiveness of industrial ecology programs, using statistical analysis and applications.
Partially Automatable
Forecast future status or condition of ecosystems, based on changing industrial practices or environmental conditions.
Partially Automatable
Apply new or existing research about natural ecosystems to understand economic and industrial systems in the context of the environment.
Partially Automatable
Prepare plans to manage renewable resources.
Partially Automatable
Identify or compare the component parts or relationships between the parts of industrial, social, and natural systems.
Partially Automatable
Plan or conduct studies of the ecological implications of historic or projected changes in industrial processes or development.
Partially Automatable
Research sources of pollution to determine environmental impact or to develop methods of pollution abatement or control.
Partially Automatable
Perform environmentally extended input-output (EE I-O) analyses.
Partially Automatable
Promote use of environmental management systems (EMS) to reduce waste or to improve environmentally sound use of natural resources.
Partially Automatable
Investigate the impact of changed land management or land use practices on ecosystems.
Partially Automatable
Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.
Partially Automatable
Provide industrial managers with technical materials on environmental issues, regulatory guidelines, or compliance actions.
Partially Automatable
Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.
Partially Automatable
Conduct scientific protection, mitigation, or restoration projects to prevent resource damage, maintain the integrity of critical habitats, and minimize the impact of human activities.
Partially Automatable
Investigate accidents affecting the environment to assess ecological impact.
Partially Automatable
Conduct analyses to determine the maximum amount of work that can be accomplished for a given amount of energy in a system, such as industrial production systems and waste treatment systems.
Partially Automatable
Investigate the adaptability of various animal and plant species to changed environmental conditions.
Partially Automatable
Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.
Partially Automatable
Plan or conduct field research on topics such as industrial production, industrial ecology, population ecology, and environmental production or sustainability.
Partially Automatable
Review industrial practices, such as the methods and materials used in construction or production, to identify potential liabilities and environmental hazards.
Partially Automatable
Research environmental effects of land and water use to determine methods of improving environmental conditions or increasing outputs, such as crop yields.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingLaw and GovernmentEnglish Language
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDocumenting/Recording InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Microsoft SQL ServerMicrosoft VisioEconomic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment EIO-LCAProductivity softwareSales Automation SoftwareSubstance Flow Analysis STANMicrosoft WindowsOracle DatabaseSplunk EnterpriseStataCorp StataEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareMicrosoft Dynamics AXMicrosoft SharePointSAP softwareAdobe PhotoshopSalesforce softwareStructure query language SQLApache HadoopNoSQLC#LinuxDassault Systemes CATIAMicrosoft Visual StudioGitSTATISTICAAtlassian JIRAOnline databasesPRe Consultants SimaProDebugging softwareSASThe MathWorks MATLABAdobe IllustratorMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsOracle DatabaseEconomic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment EIO-LCAProductivity softwareSubstance Flow Analysis STANSASProduction Flow Analysis and Simplification Toolkit PFASTEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSplunk EnterpriseStataCorp StataMicrosoft Dynamics AXAdobe IllustratorMicrosoft SharePointSAP softwareAdobe PhotoshopSalesforce softwareStructure query language SQLApache HadoopC#Dassault Systemes CATIAMicrosoft Visual StudioOracle JavaGitSTATISTICAOnline databasesPRe Consultants SimaProWolfram Research MathematicaDebugging softwareAtlassian JIRANoSQLPythonAutodesk AutoCADLinuxMicrosoft AccessESRI ArcGIS softwareWolfram Research MathematicaAutodesk AutoCADAdobe AcrobatAdobe AcrobatPythonOracle JavaESRI ArcGIS softwareSales Automation SoftwareProduction Flow Analysis and Simplification Toolkit PFASTEmail softwareMicrosoft PowerPointThe MathWorks MATLABEmail softwareMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointWeb browser softwareWeb browser softwareMicrosoft Access
Chief Sustainability Officers
Medium50.38%
Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Medium44.96%
Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.
Water Resource Specialists
Medium52.67%
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Medium48.09%
Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.
Sustainability Specialists
Medium54.37%
Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Agricultural Engineers
Medium43.86%
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Water/Wastewater Engineers
Medium47.31%
Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.
Environmental Engineers
Medium47.36%
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Medium48.30%
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Soil and Plant Scientists
Medium48.11%
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Conservation Scientists
Medium46.68%
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.
Range Managers
Medium46.07%
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Medium51.39%
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Medium47.42%
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Environmental Restoration Planners
Medium49.13%
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Medium49.96%
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
Hydrologists
Medium50.06%
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Environmental Economists
Medium50.32%
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.
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Medium50.23%
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.
Hydrologic Technicians
Medium53.13%
Collect and organize data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measure and report on flow rates and ground water levels, maintain field equipment, collect water samples, install and collect sampling equipment, and process samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Medium52.09%
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
Landscape Architects
Medium49.03%
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Food Scientists and Technologists
Medium47.16%
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Medium47.45%
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
Biologists
Medium43.26%
Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.
Foresters
Medium47.18%
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Medium54.71%
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.
Urban and Regional Planners
Medium50.08%
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Transportation Planners
Medium46.82%
Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Medium57.09%
Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Medium40.64%
Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
Energy Auditors
Medium58.63%
Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.