Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short, cheap and hands-on. You can be working inside two years.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Chemistry, biology and math. Shop or electronics classes help more than people expect, because you will be running equipment.

2. 2

   Associate degree or certificate

   1 to 2 years

   A two-year environmental technology program at a community college, with lab and field work built in. Austin Community College in Texas is one example, and most states have several.

3. 3

   Safety training

   1 week

   The 40-hour hazardous waste operations course, plus first aid and CPR. Many programs include it.

4. 4

   First job

   Hired on

   Consulting firm, testing lab, treatment plant, or a government agency. Expect to be the one carrying the cooler for a while.

5. 5

   Add tickets and experience

   Ongoing

   Confined space, emergency response, water operator licensing. Each one widens the jobs you can take.