Environmental Engineers
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
Median pay (national)
$104,170
$64,950–$161,910 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
37,950
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.9%
~3,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for environmental engineers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $161,910 versus $64,950 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $104,170 leaves roughly 55% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.9% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 3,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $130,370, +25% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $74,550 — a 75% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Bentley MicroStation
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Python
- SAS
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Air dispersion modeling software
- ANSYS simulation software
- Business software applications
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Physics
- Customer and Personal Service