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.
Environmental Engineers
SOC: 17-2081 O*NET: 17-2081.00
Median Salary
$104,170
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Environmental Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$64,950
10th percentile
Early Career
$80,510
25th percentile
Median
$104,170
50th percentile
Experienced
$130,830
75th percentile
Top Earners
$161,910
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$64,950
25th
$80,510
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$104,170
Mean: $110,570
75th
$130,830
90th
$161,910
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $96,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $80,510 and $130,830
- •Salary spread is 48.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 37,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:39,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services46.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services46.7%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services25.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.9%
Annual Openings:3,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)39,400
Current
2034 (Projected)41,000
+3.9%
+1,500
Employment Change
+3.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Environmental Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
4,770 jobs$127,6601.07x
New York
2,560 jobs$97,8701.09x
Texas
1,710 jobs$108,5600.50x
Colorado
1,660 jobs$98,1702.33x
Pennsylvania
1,420 jobs$94,8800.96x
Massachusetts
1,410 jobs$116,9801.57x
Illinois
1,410 jobs$107,5500.94x
Florida
1,410 jobs$89,8500.58x
Washington
1,330 jobs$115,7701.53x
Virginia
1,240 jobs$103,4801.24x
Maryland
1,140 jobs$94,8301.69x
New Jersey
1,010 jobs$98,9800.96x
Minnesota
980 jobs$104,9801.37x
Ohio
970 jobs$106,0700.71x
Michigan
880 jobs$100,0900.82x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
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:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sustainability Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
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 Engineers
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 TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley MicroStation
Microsoft Access
ESRI ArcGIS software
C++
Python
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
📚 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 moderate 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:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (7)General Responsibilities (7)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, or performing other general administrative duties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Inform company employees or other interested parties of environmental issues.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping 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 Engineers
💡 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 Engineers professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Environmental Engineers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.62
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.33
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.29
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.95
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.86
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Independence
3.7
Self-Control
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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