Business & Finance
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Also called: Air Permitting and Enforcement Inspector, Compliance Investigator, Enforcement Officer, Environmental Compliance Inspector
US median pay
$80,730
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
32,700
436,400 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.
What they do day to day
- Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
- Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
- Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
- Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
- Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
- Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
- Verify that hazardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
- Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognized and proper safety protocols implemented.
- Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.
- Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Systems Evaluation3.4/5
- Operations Monitoring3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.2/5
- Time Management3.0/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.2/5
- Law and Government4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree75%
- Associate's degree15%
- High school diploma10%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.