Environmental Health Inspector

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Work Tasks

• Make sure that food, water, and air meet government standards
• Watch how workers handle, make, and serve food and make sure they follow rules and regulations
• Visit places that are polluted, find out what is making the pollution, and stop it
• Act as teachers and consultants about environmental health issues
• Work indoors and outdoors for the government, food companies, schools, hospitals, and private industry
• Work with samples, test equipment, lab equipment, forms, and machinery in waste water treatment plants and other public facilities

Salary, Size & Growth

• $61,500 average per year ($29.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (81,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in environmental health or in the physical or biological sciences
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in industrial hygiene or health physics
• Skills/Courses: Training will be provided in the related laws and inspection procedures.
• Certification/Licensing: A license is usually required.