CIEEM Publishes 2025 State of the Profession Survey Report
CIEEM has published its 2025 State of the Profession Survey Report – a moment in time ‘snapshot’ of the views, experiences and aspirations of the ecology and environmental management profession. This follows our 2022 CIEEM Employment and Salary Survey report, which we have drawn comparisons to where possible and relevant to highlight any changes and trends.
The survey, which was open to both members and non-members, was undertaken in late January/early February 2025, at a time of ongoing concern about capacity in our profession. We are also in a period of somewhat shifting environmental policy and practice, although this is proceeding at a different pace and direction across countries of the UK, Ireland and elsewhere. (NB: The survey was undertaken before the publication of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in England but during the consultation period for the preceding Working Paper, and also before the publication of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill).
This survey significantly expands on previous Employment and Salary surveys, seeking to understand more about the direction of professional practice and current concerns and opportunities, as well as how it feels to be a professional ecologist or environmental manager in 2025.
The headlines
- The State of the Profession Survey 2025 provides an important benchmark for the profession. Unsurprisingly (and as with previous surveys) it reveals a picture of a hard-working, highly motivated and committed workforce but one that is also under significant pressure that is impacting job satisfaction and wellbeing.
- Overall salaries have increased across almost all sectors, although that is set against a backdrop of significant cost of living rises. Mean salaries are improving for entry level roles but are still lower than many other professional sectors. Employment levels and prospects remain good. We still have a noticeable shortage of suitably experienced people for the more senior roles available and this inevitably creates pressure. Overall, the average excess hours worked are lower but there is still a very noticeable difference during the main ecological field survey season between April and October when the pressure cranks up in some parts of the sector. Self-employed members work, on average, slightly longer hours but enjoy the flexibility and independence of their role.
- Disappointingly, the gender pay gap reported in 2018 and 2022 has not been addressed although there is some limited evidence that it is improving.
- Ecologists and environmental managers are keen to embrace new tools and technologies that enable them to work efficiently and deliver better outcomes for biodiversity, but there is a concern that this can lead to a loss of field skills.
- There is some concern from respondents that the pressures of work together with a lack of confidence in advocating for actions that will help tackle the biodiversity and climate emergencies means that the profession is not really delivering in leading action in this area. The implementation of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England, whilst recognised as a potential gamechanger in taking forward nature recovery, has created a lot of work pressure and frustration in the short term.
- Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the survey is the low morale of the profession. Almost without exception, there are hugely worrying indications that the work we do is not valued by the public, by other professions that we work with or by governments and policy makers. It feels even harder and more thankless to be an ecologist or environmental manager in 2025, and this has been exacerbated by new legislative proposals in England and Scotland that could seriously put environmental protections at risk.
- There are concerning signs of a continuing gradual decline in job satisfaction. Despite this, pride in the role is generally good and most respondents would recommend (with caveats) the profession to those looking for an interesting, varied and worthwhile career.