Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
Also called: Agricultural Chemicals Inspector, Agricultural Chemicals Registration Specialist, Air Permitting and Enforcement Inspector, Air Pollution Inspector, Authorized Inspector, Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI)
Median pay
$80,730
Pay for the broader BLS group “Compliance Officers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,220 – $133,720
People employed
417,070
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CIR
Conventional · Investigative · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
Environmental Compliance Inspectors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Compliance Officers”.
What environmental compliance inspectors do
- 01Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
- 02Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
- 03Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
- 04Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
- 05Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
- 06Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
- Customer and Personal Service
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from environmental compliance inspectors
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health92% · —
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists90% · —
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health90% · —
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors85% · —
- Environmental Engineers84% · —
Change into environmental compliance inspectors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health92% · $55,090
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health90% · $82,220
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists90% · $90,150
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians86% · $61,560
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers83% · $141,900
Majors that lead here
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Science
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Environmental Geosciences
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation
- Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician
- Regulatory Science/Affairs
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Labor and Industrial Relations
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.