Environmental Engineer
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Also called: Air Pollution Control Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Consultant · Environmental Analyst · Environmental Consultant · Environmental Engineer · Environmental Remediation Specialist · Hazardous Substances Engineer
O*NET-SOC 17-2081.00 (Environmental Engineers)
Environmental Engineer salary
Wages for environmental engineers across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $51.50.
Environmental Engineer pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $79,790 | $130,410 | $170,790 |
| Texas | $76,510 | $123,060 | $177,820 |
| Florida | $57,240 | $116,840 | $154,130 |
| New York | $67,370 | $101,270 | $157,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $103,330 | $149,990 |
| Illinois | $71,990 | $107,990 | $153,150 |
| Ohio | $69,000 | $113,180 | $145,490 |
| Georgia | $64,810 | $96,530 | $144,870 |
| North Carolina | $69,000 | $99,440 | $143,040 |
| Michigan | $73,090 | $105,080 | $142,570 |
Environmental Engineer job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 39,100 jobs in 2025 to 41,600 in 2035 (6% change).
- About 2,300 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Average.
How to become an environmental engineer
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma.1%
- High school diploma or equivalent3.2%
- Some college, no degree2.5%
- Associate's degree1%
- Bachelor's degree51.9%
- Master's degree35.4%
- Doctoral or professional degree5.9%
Related training programs
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
What does an environmental engineer do?
Common tasks
- Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
- Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.
- Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures.
- Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste.
- Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
Most important skills
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Monitoring
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Environmental Engineer certifications
8 of 38 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers International · Advanced
- Robotics Education and Competition Foundation · Skill
- American Council for Accredited Certification · Advanced
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying · Core
- Association of Energy Engineers · Advanced
- International Board for Certification of Safety Managers · Specialty
- Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals · Advanced
- Board for Global EHS Credentialing · Advanced
See all 38certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Environmental Engineer jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more engineering jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Engineering jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Environmental Scientist
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Industrial Ecologists
- Water Resource Specialists
- Civil Engineer
- Conservation Scientists
More engineering careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Environmental Engineers. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.