Sustainability Specialists
Sustainability specialists help organizations reduce environmental impact by managing waste, implementing green building practices, and developing sustainable procurement strategies. They work across industries—manufacturing, real estate, government, and corporate offices—analyzing operations to find ways to cut waste and improve environmental performance.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sustainability specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A sustainability specialist might spend Monday reviewing a facility's waste streams to identify recycling opportunities, Tuesday meeting with vendors about sourcing sustainable materials, and Wednesday presenting findings to management about energy efficiency improvements. The role involves data analysis, site visits, stakeholder meetings, and developing implementation plans for environmental initiatives.
Who this work suits
Holland code IEC. Investigative work is figuring things out: analysis, research, problem-solving. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You're drawn to investigating how systems work and identifying problems to solve. You also have the entrepreneurial drive to push organizations toward change and see sustainability projects through to completion, making you effective at bridging environmental goals with business operations.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $81,720 | $108,160 | $140,670 | 37,790 |
| Maryland | $76,470 | $101,500 | $131,280 | 39,820 |
| Washington | $78,980 | $100,360 | $128,830 | 51,650 |
| Alabama | $77,000 | $100,240 | $131,270 | 6,990 |
| Delaware | $69,580 | $95,040 | $132,100 | 1,600 |
| Alaska | $76,000 | $94,740 | $113,740 | 2,020 |
| Oklahoma | $76,020 | $93,640 | $113,980 | 5,700 |
| Massachusetts | $69,980 | $93,270 | $114,750 | 17,910 |
| Hawaii | $71,000 | $92,620 | $117,190 | 4,030 |
| Colorado | $67,610 | $92,520 | $121,120 | 45,670 |
| New Jersey | $71,680 | $91,060 | $117,260 | 34,210 |
| Rhode Island | $65,080 | $88,130 | $115,230 | 2,240 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Workplace Violence and Threat Specialist (WVTS) — McAfee Institute
- Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) — International Society of Sustainability Professionals
- Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) — International Society of Sustainability Professionals
- Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist — Cisco Systems, Inc.
- SAP Certified Specialist - SAP BW/4HANA Delta (E_BW4HE) — SAP America, Inc.
- SAP Certified Specialist - Implementation Consultant - SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition (E_S4CPE) — SAP America, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sustainability specialists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 13-1199.05 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.