by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Environmental Toxicology covers Environmental Toxicology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Health Effects Associated With Exposure To Toxic Chemicals And Systems Occurring In The Natural, Work, And Living Environments; The Management Of Environmental Toxins And Toxicity; And The Development Of Protections For Humans, Animals, And Plants. Includes Instruction In Applied Ecology; Microbiology; Toxin Transport, Fate, And Degradation; Dermal Toxicology; Reproductive And Genetic Toxicology; Atmospheric And Environmental Chemistry; Metals Toxicology; Environmental Mutagens And Biotransformation; Nutrient Interaction; Chemical Sensitivity, Disorders, And Disease; Risk Assessment; Animal Waste Management; Environmental Health; And Hazardous Materials Management. Read on to learn the important information every environmental toxicology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering environmental toxicology programs.
Across the country, environmental toxicology is a popular field of study, with 78 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Environmental Toxicology Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for environmental toxicology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of environmental toxicology programs later in this article.
Studies in Environmental Toxicology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations environmental toxicology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a environmental toxicology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a environmental toxicology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several environmental toxicology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
People currently working in careers related to environmental toxicology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in environmental toxicology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in environmental toxicology can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to environmental toxicology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to environmental toxicology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
| Industrial Ecologists | 136,627 | 8.5% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 135,241 | -1.0% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Environmental Restoration Planners | 98,537 | 4.3% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 72,502 | 2.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of environmental toxicology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,787 |
| 4 years | $74,178 |
| 5 years | $91,829 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for environmental toxicology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers environmental toxicology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,085 |
| Environmental Restoration Planners | $61,737 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $48,647 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 11 different environmental toxicology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased environmental toxicology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in environmental toxicology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 483 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 252 |
| Toxicology | 152 |
| Molecular Pharmacology | 85 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other | 53 |
| Neuropharmacology | 39 |
| Molecular Toxicology | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
