Environmental Economist
Social Sciences
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Picture the job
Where you'd usually workA data and analysis desk
- Mostly indoors
- Sitting for most of the day
- Regular working hours
An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. The work-style notes come from US O*NET data, so read them as a guide.
In Malaysia
Few jobs in Malaysia carry the title 'environmental economist'. The work is done by economists at research institutes and universities, in ministries dealing with natural resources and climate policy, and by 'economic valuation' subject consultants registered for EIA studies with the Department of Environment.
- How people get into it here
- SPM → Foundation/Matriculation/STPM → Bachelor's in Economics (environmental/resource economics electives) → Master's in Environmental or Resource Economics is common → research institute, university, government or EIA consultancy (economic valuation)
- Government post
- Pegawai Ehwal Ekonomi – Gred E9 under SSPA (formerly E41); figure is the SSPA grade 9 salary-scale minimum · starts at RM2,250 a month
Sources:docs.jpa.gov.mybp.doe.gov.my
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
3
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
Typical entry
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Matriculation
One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.
Asasi / Foundation
One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
Quick answers
How do you become an Environmental Economist in Malaysia?
SPM → Foundation/Matriculation/STPM → Bachelor's in Economics (environmental/resource economics electives) → Master's in Environmental or Resource Economics is common → research institute, university, government or EIA consultancy (economic valuation).
What should I study to become an Environmental Economist?
Related fields of study: Business and Science. SPM subjects that help most: Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, Principles of Accounting and Economics.
How much does an Environmental Economist earn in Malaysia?
We don't yet have a Malaysian source we can cite for Environmental Economist pay, so we show no figure.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Mathematics93%
Additional MathematicsMathematics
- Economics and Accounting88%
Principles of AccountingEconomics
- English Language79%
English
- Computers and Electronics74%
Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies
- Education and Training64%
- Law and Government61%
History (Sejarah)
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Leading or coordinating othersHigh
- Handling conflict situationsRarely
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentAlmost never
- Time spent sittingAlmost all the time
- Time spent standingA little
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Construct and manage economic datasets.
- Present research at seminars and conferences.
- Review documents written by others, such as referee reports.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points, not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023, already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work
Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job, and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.
What beginner adverts asked for
We read 24 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.
20 of 24 were internships
Allowance or pay, when stated
RM1,000 – RM1,275
6 of 24 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM1,000 and RM1,275 a month. Many print none.
Minimum CGPA asked
3.00 to 3.20
Stated in 4 adverts. Others did not state one.
Languages named
Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin
An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.
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About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Environmental Economists
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org