10.10 Careers

10.10a Urban and Regional Planners

Urban and regional planners create plans and programs for a region, such as a city or county (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025c). They usually work in an office, but also travel to the area where they plan to work. A bachelor’s or a master’s degree in an accredited planning program is required. A background in sociology can be helpful, mainly if it includes environmental and urban sociology coursework. The median pay for urban and regional planners is $83,700 per year or $40 per hour. The occupation is expected to grow at an average rate (4%) through 2035. Video 10.1 shares more about this occupation.

10.10b Environmental Engineers

Environmental engineers use engineering to address problems related to the natural physical environment (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025a). They work in offices and the field. A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related engineering field is usually required. A background in sociology can help environmental engineers understand the perspective of people affected by environmental issues. The median pay for environmental engineers is $104,200 per year or $50 per hour. The occupation is expected to grow faster than average (7%) through 2035. Video 10.2 shares more about this occupation.

10.10c Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Environmental scientists and specialists conduct environmental and health research (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025b). They work in offices, laboratories, and in the field. This career usually requires a degree in natural science, like biology or chemistry. A sociology background can help these specialists understand how human behavior influences the physical environment. The median pay for environmental scientists and specialists is $80,000 annually or $38 per hour. The occupation is expected to grow faster than average (7%) through 2035. Video 10.3 shares more about this occupation.