Ecology and environment careers survey results

The Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM) has recently undertaken a survey of its members working in consultancies, government agencies, NGOs, industry and the voluntary sector.  The results make interesting reading for students looking for an environmental career. Marginally more respondents to the survey were female (51%) and the average salary reported was approximately £35,000.

Average salaries by membership grade are shown in Figure 1; with the average salary of a graduate member being £25,352 and rising rapidly thereafter with career progression. A high proportion of employed members (73%) reported working longer than their contracted hours, but over 80% reported being ‘happy’ or ‘very happy’ in their roles, and 85% of respondents said they would recommend ecology and environmental management as a career.

Commonly stated reasons were ‘working in a subject that is a passion – it is a vocation’, ‘interesting and enjoyable / range of work’, ‘you can make a difference to the natural world’ and ‘working with like-minded people’. CIEEM accredit our degrees BSc Wildlife Conservation with Environmental Management and BSc Countryside with Environmental Management. More information about CIEEM can be found at www.cieem.net.