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Air Quality Specialist, Environmental Management Systems Specialist, Hazardous Waste Auditor, Inspector, Investigator, Remediation and Reclamation Specialist, Solid Waste Auditor, Water Quality Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Environmental auditors assess the management of operations in all types of businesses to ensure corporate and government standards of environmental control are being met. Their objective is to detect any existing or potential environmental compliance problems or management system deficiencies and make recommendations.
Environmental auditors may conduct compliance audits or management system audits:
Depending on their areas of specialization, environmental auditors may:
When analyzing data, researching policies and regulations, compiling audit results and preparing presentations, environmental auditors primarily work in offices. However, they visit manufacturing plants to conduct interviews, gather data and assess both indoor and outdoor operations. Inspecting industrial sites involves travel away from the office. Meeting with clients may also involve travel.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Public and environmental health and safety professionals
2023 OaSIS: 21120.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Environmental auditors need:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work, analyzing data, finding innovative solutions to problems and directing the work of others.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 30, 2023 and Nov 21, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards | 72 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 68 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans | 64 |
| Attention to detail | 59 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 55 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 53 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 52 |
| Tasks: Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses | 51 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 50 |
| Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public | 50 |
Environmental auditors must be knowledgeable about environmental management methods and techniques, related legislation and regulations, and business and industrial operations. Most have post-secondary education in environmental, scientific or engineering fields such as biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, environmental monitoring technology or environmental engineering. They may have an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, environmental law or environmental studies, or related work experience or a technical diploma specializing in environmental technology, chemical technology or engineering technology. For on-site audits, safety training may be required.
Prior to enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities. Specific courses are required for accreditation. Environmental auditors who have the authority to sign off audits are required to have a related professional designation or a university degree.
Post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer programs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, environmental monitoring and related disciplines.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
The Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) oversees the administration, evaluation and approval of ECO Canada's Environmental Professional (EP) certification.
Qualified Individuals may also pursue ECO Canada's Compliance Auditor (CEA) or Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditor (EMSLA) certifications.
The Auditing Association of Canada (AAC) offers the Provisional Environmental Auditor (PEA) certification for individuals who have formal training but lack field experience.
For more information about becoming a certified environmental professional, visit the ECO Canada website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Environmental auditors may be employed by or work on a contract basis for:
Experienced environmental auditors may advance to supervisory and management positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
2016 NOC: 2263
75.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for environmental auditors vary considerably depending on their qualifications and the responsibilities of the position.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.60 | $53.91 | $38.31 | $40.31 |
| Overall | $24.96 | $63.70 | $47.57 | $49.55 |
| Top | $31.25 | $92.31 | $55.21 | $55.63 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $95,481 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $120,824 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $88,693 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $78,738 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $101,677 |
| Public Administration | $93,244 |
Auditing Association of Canada (AAC) website: auditingcanada.com
Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) website: cecab.org
ECO Canada website: eco.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 02, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
