Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

SOC: 17-3025 O*NET: 17-3025.00
Median Salary
$59,920
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

What does a Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians do?

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$39,910
10th percentile
Early Career
$48,200
25th percentile
Median
$59,920
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$96,660
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$39,910
25th
$48,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,920
Mean: $64,870
75th
$75,960
90th
$96,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $56,750 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $48,200 and $75,960
  • Salary spread is 46.3% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 12,190 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:12,500

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services55.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services55.8%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services37.7%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3.1%
Annual Openings:1,100

Employment Projections

2025 (Current)12,500
Current
2035 (Projected)12,900
+3.1%
+400
Employment Change
+3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
2,060 jobs$60,0101.44x
Texas
1,240 jobs$57,1501.13x
Georgia
670 jobs$60,5001.76x
Ohio
630 jobs$51,8301.45x
New York
470 jobs$62,5400.62x
Tennessee
450 jobs$80,1001.77x
Florida
420 jobs$51,9700.54x
New Jersey
400 jobs$60,7401.19x
Oklahoma
370 jobs$61,9002.78x
Massachusetts
320 jobs$66,8601.12x
Wisconsin
310 jobs$49,1901.36x
Washington
270 jobs$100,0500.97x
Maryland
250 jobs$67,5101.16x
Pennsylvania
250 jobs$59,9200.52x
Alabama
230 jobs$60,1701.38x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Engineering and Technology
100%
#3
Inductive Reasoning
100%
#4
Critical Thinking
94%
#5
Mathematics
92%
#6
Written Comprehension
92%
#7
Reading Comprehension
86%
#8
Customer and Personal Service
82%
#9
Deductive Reasoning
82%
#10
Active Learning
80%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Engineering and Technology
advanced5.0
100%
Inductive Reasoning
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Mathematics
advanced4.6
92%
Written Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Customer and Personal Service
intermediate4.1
82%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Engineering and Technology

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Inductive Reasoning

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Mathematics

advanced
Importance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0

Written Comprehension

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Customer and Personal Service

intermediate
Importance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0

Deductive Reasoning

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Active Learning

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

English Language

intermediate
Importance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0

Science

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Agricultural Inspectors82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Biological Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Forensic Science Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Physicians, Pathologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Breeders80%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Chemistry

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

SAS

🔥 Hot Tech

The MathWorks MATLAB

🔥 Hot Tech

Autodesk AutoCAD

🔥 Hot Tech

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

🔥 Hot Tech

Bentley MicroStation

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

ESRI ArcGIS software

🔥 Hot Tech

C++

🔥 Hot Tech

Python

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley MicroStation
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
C++
Python
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (2)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (4)
1

Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform
3

Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Operations & Execution94% perform
4

Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Review work plans to schedule activities.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Planning & Development88% perform
6

Obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform
7

Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Provide technical engineering support in the planning of projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and policies.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Planning & Development76% perform
10

Improve chemical processes to reduce toxic emissions.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.30

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.26

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.23

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.21

Initiative

Very Important

Initiative

Importance Level4.11

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.06

Complete Work Styles Profile

Cooperation
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Leadership
3.7

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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