How to Become an Environmental Consultant in the UK
Environmental consultants advise developers, councils and businesses on how a project affects land, water, air, wildlife and people. Typical work includes site walkovers, desk studies, contaminated land assessments, ecology surveys and chapters of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) that support planning applications.
Most people get in with a degree in environmental science, ecology, geography, geology or a related subject, then join a consultancy as a graduate or assistant consultant. A relevant MSc, seasonal survey experience and GIS skills make a real difference in a competitive graduate market. For pay at each stage, see our environmental consultant salary guide.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £26,000 - £32,000
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- Mixed - office, site visits
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years (degree + consultancy)
- Degree required
- Preferred - environmental science / ecology
- Category
- Green Energy and Sustainability
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Career change.
What a Environmental Consultant does
Advise developers and businesses on environmental risk, planning and ecology requirements.
How to become an environmental consultant in the UK
Employers often ask for a good degree in environmental science, ecology, geography, geology, environmental engineering or similar, and many graduates add an MSc in environmental management, consultancy or ecology. You then join a consultancy as a graduate consultant and learn EIA, Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), contaminated land or air quality work on the job. Professional membership builds credibility: IEMA for environmental management and assessment, CIEEM if you specialise as an ecologist, and later Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status through the Society for the Environment. Some employers also offer environmental degree apprenticeships.
- Choose a degree in environmental science, ecology, geography, geology or environmental engineering, and pick modules in environmental law, GIS and field methods.
- Get seasonal fieldwork experience, such as bat, bird or habitat surveys, groundwater sampling or site walkovers, by working as a field assistant for a consultancy.
- Learn QGIS or ArcGIS well enough to produce site maps and constraints plans, as this is one of the first tasks graduate consultants are given.
- Read published Environmental Statements on your local council's planning portal to see how EIA chapters and HRA screening reports are written and structured.
- Join IEMA or CIEEM as a student or graduate member and use their job boards, events and competency frameworks to target your applications.
- Apply for graduate or assistant consultant roles at environmental, engineering and planning consultancies, highlighting fieldwork, report writing and a full UK driving licence.
- Once working, build evidence towards full IEMA or CIEEM membership and, longer term, Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental degree, then graduate consultant role | 3-4 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers with science A levels |
| MSc in environmental management, ecology or consultancy | 1 year full-time | Postgraduate fees | Graduates in related subjects |
| Field assistant or seasonal surveyor, then consultant | 1-2 years | Paid work | Building practical survey experience |
| Environmental degree apprenticeship | About 3-4 years | Paid by the employer | Earning while you qualify |
How long it takes
With a relevant degree you can start as a graduate consultant straight away, though many people spend one to three years combining a degree or MSc with seasonal survey work before landing a permanent consultancy role.
Environmental Consultant salary in the UK
Graduate and assistant environmental consultants usually start on around £26,000 to £32,000. With a few years' experience and project management responsibility, consultants typically earn £35,000 to £48,000, and principal or associate-level consultants reach £55,000 to £75,000. Pay is highest in larger multidisciplinary consultancies and in London and the South East. Specialisms in short supply, such as EIA coordination, contaminated land or protected species work, and chartered status all help you move up the scale faster.
Key skills
- EIA / HRA
- Fieldwork
- Report writing
- GIS
Environmental Consultant FAQs
How do I become an environmental consultant in the UK?
Get a degree in environmental science, ecology, geography or a related subject, build fieldwork and GIS experience, then apply for graduate consultant roles. Many people add an MSc or seasonal survey work first. Professional membership of IEMA or CIEEM helps you progress.
Do I need a degree to be an environmental consultant?
In practice, yes for most roles. Consultancies usually ask for a relevant degree, and an MSc is common. Some employers offer environmental degree apprenticeships, and survey technicians sometimes move into consultant roles after gaining experience and qualifications on the job.
How much does an environmental consultant earn?
Starting salaries are around £26,000 to £32,000. Experienced consultants earn about £35,000 to £48,000, and senior or principal consultants reach £55,000 to £75,000. Larger consultancies, London roles and in-demand specialisms tend to pay at the top of these ranges.
What is the difference between an environmental consultant and an environmental scientist?
There is a lot of overlap. Environmental scientists often work in research, regulators or labs, collecting and analysing data. Environmental consultants apply that science for paying clients, usually to win planning permission or meet regulations, so report writing, deadlines and client contact take up more of the job.
Is Environmental Consultant right for you?
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