Environmental Economics Jobs in Higher Education

Introduction & Overview

Environmental Economics applies economic principles to challenges like climate change, pollution control, biodiversity loss, and natural resource management. It evaluates policies such as carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems using tools like cost-benefit analysis and externality valuation. The field emerged prominently in the 1960s, building on Pigouvian taxes to address market failures. Today it informs trillion-dollar transitions to net-zero economies, with the global green economy projected to create 24 million jobs by 2030 and climate risks potentially costing 2.6% of global GDP annually.

Faculty roles blend teaching, research on topics like ecosystem services, and grant-seeking from the NSF. Networking through the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) and American Economic Association meetings is essential. Top journals include the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.

Qualifications & Career Pathways

A PhD in Environmental Economics, Economics with environmental focus, Agricultural Economics, or Resource Economics is required for tenure-track faculty roles. Top programs are at UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, and Duke. A master’s degree supports research assistant or industry positions but rarely leads to faculty spots. Expect 4–7 years for a PhD plus 1–3 years of postdoctoral work.

Essential Skills

• Quantitative analysis with econometrics, Stata, R, or Python
• Research design including cost-benefit and impact evaluations
• Policy expertise in systems like the EU Emissions Trading System
• GIS proficiency for spatial analysis of pollution and land use

Career Timeline

Avoid “publish or perish” pitfalls by targeting 3–5 papers early and attending AERE and AEA meetings. Explore higher-ed-jobs/faculty and postdoc opportunities.

Salaries, Benefits & Compensation

Compensation varies by rank and location. Assistant professors earn $110,000–$145,000 USD in the US (£45,000–£60,000 in the UK). Associate professors reach $150,000–$190,000 USD or €70,000–€90,000 in Europe. Full professors command $200,000+ USD, up to $300,000 at elite institutions.

Location Variations

California salaries exceed national averages by 20–30%. UK roles at LSE average £70,000. Netherlands and Germany offer €60,000–€100,000 with strong work-life balance. Australia’s top positions exceed AUD 150,000.

Trends & Benefits

Salaries have risen 25–35% over the past decade. Benefits include full health coverage, TIAA-CREF retirement matching, sabbaticals, and tuition remission. Negotiate 10–15% above initial offers plus $50,000–$200,000 startup funds. Check professor salaries for benchmarks.

Locations & Top/Specializing Institutions

North America leads with high demand and EPA funding. Europe benefits from EU Horizon grants. Asia-Pacific is growing rapidly in renewable energy policy.

Premier Institutions

Tips for Landing a Job or Enrolling

Target PhD programs at Stanford’s E-IPER or Duke’s Nicholas School. Build 3–5 publications in JEEM before applying. Attend AERE conferences, master econometrics and GIS, and gain internships at the EPA or World Bank. Tailor applications to institutional priorities and use Rate My Professor to evaluate mentors. Negotiate startup funds and monitor hotspots such as California and UK. Practice job talks and leverage higher-ed career advice for CV and interview preparation.

Diversity, Inclusion & Professional Networks

Women comprise about 25% of economics faculty and underrepresented minorities hold fewer than 5% of tenured positions. Women-authored papers in top journals rose from 15% to 28% between 2015 and 2023. NSF ADVANCE grants and AEA diversity initiatives support inclusive hiring and mentoring.

Key Networks

Join AEA’s Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession or diversity initiatives for mentorship. Highlight community-engaged research in applications and review diverse faculty on Rate My Professor.

Resources & Perspectives

Key platforms include the AEA’s Job Openings for Economists, AERE job newsletters, RFF fellowships, EAERE summer schools, and NBER working papers. Coursera offers self-paced certificates. Read Rate My Professor reviews to select mentors and professor salaries for compensation data. Professionals emphasize publishing early, building policy networks, and maintaining ethical transparency. Students benefit from strong quantitative training and real-world case studies such as the EU Emissions Trading System. Explore faculty jobs and higher-ed career advice to launch your path.