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.

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Overview

Open roles11
Top employerBurns & McDonnell
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring5
Work type75% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 11+ Environmental Scientist jobs

Lab Application Scientist, Environmental and Food Safety LCMS
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Added 1w ago
Lab Application Scientist, Environmental and Food Safety LCMS
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Bannockburn, Illinois
Business Analysis
Consulting & Professional Services
$76k - $114k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Staff Environmental Scientist
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Added 2w ago
Staff Environmental Scientist
Burns & McDonnell
Chicago, Illinois
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
$95k - $145k/yr
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Staff Environmental Scientist
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Added 2w ago
Staff Environmental Scientist
Burns & McDonnell
Downers Grove, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$95k - $145k/yr
Master's degree
5,001-10,000

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Environmental Scientist
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Added 2w ago
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Works, Inc.
East Carondelet, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$55k - $65k/yr
Bachelor's degree in biology
51-200

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Senior Environmental GIS/Data Scientist
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Added 3w ago
Senior Environmental GIS/Data Scientist
Tetra Tech
Chicago, Illinois
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Software Engineering
$90 - $110/hr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in geography
10,000+

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See All 11 Environmental Scientist Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Environmental Scientist Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
7 jobs
Rosemont
1 job
Bannockburn
1 job
Downers Grove
1 job
East Carondelet
1 job

Environmental Scientist Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Burns & McDonnell5 open roles
GHD1 open role
Tetra Tech1 open role

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