Environmental Toxicologist
Studies the effects of chemicals, pollutants and toxins on ecosystems and human health. Conducts risk assessments for chemical exposure and advises on environmental safety standards.
- AI exposure
- 33 of 100, low exposure
- Hiring trend
- Stable
- Hiring rate
- 30%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Time to senior
- 10 years
A day in the role
Tests water samples for pesticide contamination, analyses toxicity data, writes a risk assessment report for NEMA, and researches the effects of a chemical on aquatic organisms.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 55,000-100,000
- Mid
- KES 130,000-270,000
- Senior
- KES 310,000-680,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 32% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside environmental science the mean is 35, across 118 careers.
Named task by task
Already automated
- AI-powered toxicity prediction models
- Automated chemical risk assessment
- Generating toxicology reports
- AI-assisted exposure modelling
Still human
- Conducting toxicity testing and analysis
- Assessing chemical risks to ecosystems and humans
- Designing environmental monitoring programmes
- Advising on chemical safety regulations
- Investigating environmental contamination incidents
- Publishing research on toxicological effects
Task counts
- Displacing
- AI predicts basic toxicity
- Augmenting
- AI toxicity prediction reduces animal testing
- Creating
- AI-driven chemical safety creates new analytical roles
Sources
Behind the rating- KEMRI
- NEMA chemical safety
- WEF Future of Jobs 2023
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Diploma in Energy Project ManagementKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Geology TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Geophysical ExplorationKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Geophysical Exploration TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Highway EngineeringKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Industrial Automation TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in It and Waste ManagementKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Mechanical Production TechnicianKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
BSc + MSc/PhD Toxicology
8-12 yearsVery high cost
BSc plus MSc/PhD in toxicology or environmental health
Who hires
- KEMRI
- NEMA
- Universities
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Research Institutions
Common misconceptions
Toxicology is just about poisons
Environmental toxicology studies chemical effects on entire ecosystems — it involves dose-response modelling, environmental fate, bioaccumulation and ecological risk assessment.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Growth outlook
- Net demand change
- +5%
- Over
- 2026-2028
- Drivers
- Chemical safety regulations,Agricultural chemical monitoring,Industrial pollution
- Headwinds
- Limited local positions,Funding constraints
What to learn
- AI toxicity prediction (QSAR)
- Environmental fate modelling
- Ecological risk assessment frameworks
Related careers
Kenyan market notes
Limited toxicology roles in Kenya — KEMRI, NEMA, universities. Growing concern about pesticide use, industrial chemicals and water pollution. Agricultural chemical use creates exposure risks. Limited local expertise — mostly academic. Salary: entry KES 55,000-100,000, mid KES 130,000-270,000, senior KES 310,000-680,000+.
Further reading
This role is rated 33 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.