Environmental Scientist Jobs in Illinois
Environmental Scientist jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with openings concentrated in environmental consulting, state and federal regulatory compliance, and industrial site remediation, at levels from entry-level field technician through senior project manager. Chicago leads hiring by a wide margin, with additional activity in Springfield and Peoria, where firms like Arcadis, Tetra Tech, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency maintain consistent presences. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include remediation and brownfield redevelopment, air quality permitting, and stormwater compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Environmental Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Environmental Scientist jobs











Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materialsJob Description
Lab Application Scientist, Environmental and Food Safety LCMS
R-01370219
Site based role in Bannockburn, IL
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you will discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer! We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Location/Division Specific Information
The Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry business develops and manufactures leading-edge instruments, consumables, and software solutions for customers working in the analytical sciences (routine testing markets) and scientific research. We play a crucial role in various scientific fields, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, forensics, environmental analysis, and biochemistry, among others.
How will you make an impact?
The role of a Lab Scientist, Applications to provide scientific expertise and support to customers, sales teams, and internal partners within CMD (Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Division) to resolve complex analytical challenges by utilizing chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques.
What will you do?
- Product Demonstrations: Conduct product demonstrations to customers on the accurate use, product features, functionality, application of instruments and software, and best practices. Understand customer’s motivation, success criteria and pain points and be able to effectively communicate customer feedback to the product development team regarding customer needs, product performance, and potential improvements.
- Understand the critical steps in the demo process and how to address them, including:
o Pre-Demo Qualification
o Demo Qualification
o Internal alignment
o Demo agreement with customer
o Demo report
o Demo result evaluation with customer
o Internal demo evaluation
Application Optimization: Collaborate with customers and internal teams to customize applications and methodologies. This includes troubleshooting, method development, and data interpretation. May be responsible for collecting data from customer experiments or field trials, analyzing the data using statistical methods, and providing insights or recommendations based on the findings. They should be able to interpret scientific data accurately and communicate the results effectively. Occasionally helps to resolve and/or escalates customer issues & complaints.- Technical Presentations: Deliver presentations to highlight the capabilities and benefits of solutions for various applications. Effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- Drive Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with internal teams, including marketing and sales, to support strategic execution of the entire demo process.
- Scientific Support: Stay informed about the latest scientific literature, methodologies, and regulatory requirements. Acts as a trusted expert to our customers to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty which contributes to the overall success of the business. Provide scientific support and counsel to internal teams and customers and identify improvement opportunities.
How will you get here?
Education
- A bachelor’s degree (or higher) in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related scientific field and/or equivalent work experience.
Experience
- 2-3 years of hands-on technical experience with chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments, software, data analysis, and techniques.
- Experience in Environmental and Food Safety chemical analysis, preferred
- Chromatography method development experience, preferred
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
- Outstanding teamwork and collaboration skills to foster creativity and contribute to the team's success.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues and provide guidance on product usage and optimization.
- Persuasive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- This position may require up to 25% travel.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Illinois is $75,800.00–$113,600.00.This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
See All 11 Environmental Scientist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Scientist JobsEnvironmental Scientist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Scientist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental scientist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field
- Illinois EPA familiarity or experience working under Illinois environmental regulations
- Proficiency with GIS software and environmental data management platforms
- OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification or willingness to obtain before start date
- Experience conducting Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing regulatory reports and agency submittals
Environmental Scientist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental scientist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, chemistry, or biology as the foundation for entry. Illinois does not mandate a single state license for the title of environmental scientist, but professionals conducting certain work, such as groundwater investigations or site remediation, often pursue registration as a Licensed Professional Geologist or Licensed Professional Engineer through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Relevant certifications like HAZWOPER and familiarity with Illinois EPA regulatory programs strengthen your candidacy considerably.
How much do environmental scientists make in Illinois?
Environmental scientists in Illinois earn a median of about $81,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,540 for the lowest 10% to over $153,150 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire environmental scientists in Illinois?
Employers hiring environmental scientists in Illinois right now include Burns & McDonnell, GHD, and Tetra Tech, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of consulting firms serving industrial clients, the Illinois EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also generates consistent openings for environmental scientists throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most environmental scientist jobs?
Chicago, Rosemont, and Bannockburn have the most environmental scientist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it anchors the regional headquarters of major environmental consulting firms and hosts a large industrial and manufacturing base requiring ongoing compliance work, while Springfield's activity reflects state agency employment at the Illinois EPA and related regulatory bodies.
Are there remote environmental scientist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're uncommon. Environmental science work is largely field-based, involving site visits, sample collection, and on-site inspections that require physical presence. About 75% of environmental scientist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in data analysis, report writing, and regulatory review roles rather than field or remediation work.
How can I get hired as a environmental scientist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or field technician role with an environmental consulting firm, as companies like Arcadis and Tetra Tech regularly bring on recent graduates for sampling, data collection, and report support work out of their Illinois offices. Targeting entry titles such as environmental technician, environmental analyst, or junior project assistant broadens the field considerably. Completing HAZWOPER training before applying and highlighting any coursework involving the Illinois EPA's regulatory framework or GIS mapping gives candidates a tangible edge over other new graduates.
Where can I find and apply to environmental scientist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to environmental scientist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across consulting firms, government agencies, and industrial employers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to each one.
See All 11 Environmental Scientist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Scientist Jobs