Environmental Consultants

Employers

Approximately 150,268 people were employed in the U.S. environmental consulting industry in 2023, according to IBISWorld. Many environmental consultants work in the private sector for firms that provide consulting services to companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations. Major environmental consulting firms include Jacobs, Black & Veatch, EnergySolutions LLC, FTI Consulting, Hart Energy, Stantec, CDM Smith, Veolia, and Clean Harbors Inc. Large management consulting firms such as A.T. Kearney, Bain & Company, and the Boston Consulting Group also have sustainability consulting practices. Government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations employ consultants. Approximately 14 percent of management consultants are self-employed. Although environmental consultants are employed throughout the country, most work in major metropolitan areas.

Starting Out

Job search strategies in environmental consulting range from contacting environmental firms directly, to accessing job listings at employment or association Web sites, to using the resources of your college’s career services center. You can also network with recruiters at social-media sites such as LinkedIn or at networking events held by environmental associations.

At large management consulting firms, new hires (sometimes called associates, consultants, business analysts, or fellows) begin as generalists before gaining experience in environmental consulting. They either become specialists at the firm, move on to specialty environmental consulting firms, or work for other employers that have a need for environmental consulting expertise.