Environmental Engineers
SOC Code: 17-2081.00
Architecture & EngineeringEnvironmental engineers design and implement solutions to protect human health and the natural world from pollution, contamination, and unsustainable resource use. Earning a median salary of $104,170, these professionals combine engineering principles with environmental science to address challenges ranging from water treatment and waste management to climate change and ecological restoration. It is a career that offers both strong compensation and the deep satisfaction of solving problems that directly impact communities and ecosystems.
Salary Overview
Median
$104,170
25th Percentile
$80,510
75th Percentile
$130,830
90th Percentile
$161,910
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+3.9%
New Openings
3,000
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- 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.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 44 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Environmental Engineers.
A Day in the Life
A typical day for an environmental engineer varies depending on the project phase but blends design work, analysis, fieldwork, and client interaction. The morning might begin with reviewing project plans, updating environmental modeling software, and running simulations for a wastewater treatment system upgrade or a contaminated site remediation strategy. Engineers often spend time in design meetings with multidisciplinary teams—civil engineers, hydrogeologists, chemists, and regulatory specialists—coordinating technical approaches to complex environmental problems. Site visits are common, where engineers assess existing conditions, oversee construction activities, collect environmental data, and conduct compliance inspections. Back in the office, they interpret laboratory results, prepare engineering calculations, and draft technical reports, permit applications, and environmental impact statements. Communication with clients, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders is a recurring responsibility, requiring engineers to translate technical findings into accessible language. Proposal writing and cost estimation for new projects rounds out the day for engineers involved in business development. Quality assurance reviews of junior engineers' work and mentoring are important activities for more experienced professionals.
Work Environment
Environmental engineers divide their time between office environments and field locations, with the proportion depending on their role and project phase. Office work involves computer-aided design, modeling, report writing, and project management, typically in well-equipped engineering firm settings or government agency offices. Field conditions range from construction sites and industrial facilities to remote wetlands and contaminated properties, requiring personal protective equipment and awareness of safety protocols. Most engineers maintain standard business hours, but project deadlines, construction schedules, and emergency response situations can demand extended hours, weekend work, and travel. The workplace culture in environmental engineering firms tends to be collaborative and technically focused, with a strong emphasis on continuing education and professional development. Team sizes range from small two-person project teams at consulting firms to large multidisciplinary groups on major infrastructure projects. Engineers interact extensively with clients, contractors, regulatory officials, and community members, making communication skills as important as technical expertise.
Career Path & Advancement
Becoming an environmental engineer requires a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering with an environmental focus, or a closely related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. The curriculum emphasizes fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry, biology, environmental law, and engineering design. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam after graduation allows graduates to work as Engineers in Training. After gaining four years of professional experience, engineers are eligible to sit for the Professional Engineer licensing exam, which is essential for career advancement and the authority to approve engineering plans and reports. entry-level engineers work under experienced mentors, gradually taking on more complex design and project management responsibilities. Senior positions include project manager, technical director, principal engineer, and department head, with salaries often exceeding $130,000 at established firms. A master's degree or Ph.D. enables specialization in areas like water resources, air quality modeling, or environmental risk assessment and opens doors to research and academic positions. Some engineers pursue MBA degrees to transition into executive leadership at engineering firms or corporations.
Specializations
Environmental engineering offers a broad spectrum of specializations that address different categories of environmental challenges. Water and wastewater engineers design treatment plants, distribution systems, and reclamation facilities that deliver clean water and manage sewage and industrial discharges. Air quality engineers develop emissions control systems, conduct dispersion modeling, and design solutions for industrial and vehicular air pollution. Hazardous waste and remediation engineers specialize in contaminated site assessment, designing cleanup systems like pump-and-treat, in-situ chemical oxidation, and bioremediation. Solid waste engineers plan and design landfills, recycling systems, composting facilities, and waste-to-energy plants. Stormwater and water resources engineers create drainage systems, flood control infrastructure, and green infrastructure solutions for urban and rural environments. Climate and sustainability engineers focus on carbon footprint analysis, renewable energy integration, and climate adaptation infrastructure design. Environmental health engineers address indoor air quality, noise control, radiation protection, and occupational health hazards in built environments.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The median salary of $104,170 provides strong compensation that grows significantly with experience and licensure.
- ✓The career offers deep personal fulfillment through designing solutions that protect communities and natural ecosystems.
- ✓Professional Engineer licensure provides a respected credential that enhances career mobility and earning potential.
- ✓The blend of office design work and field investigation keeps the role intellectually stimulating and physically varied.
- ✓Strong demand driven by aging infrastructure, new regulations, and climate adaptation ensures excellent long-term job security.
- ✓Multiple specialization options allow engineers to focus on areas that match their interests, from water treatment to air quality.
- ✓The skills developed are highly transferable across engineering disciplines, consulting, government, and the private sector.
Challenges
- ✗Obtaining licensure requires passing two rigorous exams and accumulating four years of supervised experience.
- ✗Field conditions can be hazardous, involving exposure to contaminated sites, industrial facilities, and challenging terrain.
- ✗Project deadlines and client demands can create periods of intense workload and stress, particularly at consulting firms.
- ✗Regulatory complexity and constantly changing environmental laws require continuous learning and adaptation.
- ✗Bureaucratic permitting processes can slow project progress and test patience, especially when working with government agencies.
- ✗Some remediation and infrastructure projects span many years, and engineers may not see the final results of their work.
- ✗Balancing client business interests with environmental protection goals can create ethical tensions in consulting practice.
Industry Insight
Environmental engineering is experiencing rapid growth driven by escalating environmental challenges and unprecedented levels of public and private investment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated billions of dollars for water infrastructure improvements, lead pipe replacement, and PFAS contamination cleanup, creating substantial project backlogs for engineering firms. Climate change adaptation is becoming a central focus, with engineers designing flood-resistant infrastructure, managing sea-level rise impacts, and developing drought-resilient water systems. Emerging contaminants—particularly PFAS chemicals—are fundamentally reshaping the water treatment industry and creating new engineering challenges that require innovative solutions. Digital transformation is accelerating, with engineers adopting building information modeling, digital twins, and artificial intelligence-powered design optimization tools. Sustainability and circular economy principles are influencing waste management engineering, driving innovation in resource recovery, composting, and biodegradable material design. The growing emphasis on environmental justice is directing engineering resources toward historically underserved communities and requiring more inclusive community engagement practices.
How to Break Into This Career
Aspiring environmental engineers should complete a bachelor's degree in environmental or civil engineering from an ABET-accredited university, ensuring they take electives in environmental chemistry, hydrology, and environmental law. Participating in co-op programs or securing summer internships with environmental consulting firms, government environmental agencies, or water utilities provides essential practical experience. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam during senior year or shortly after graduation is a critical credential that most employers expect. Joining student chapters of professional organizations like the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists or the American Society of Civil Engineers builds networks and awareness of industry trends. Building proficiency in industry-standard software—AutoCAD, GIS platforms, environmental modeling tools like MODFLOW or AERMOD—differentiates candidates in competitive job markets. Volunteering with environmental organizations or participating in Engineers Without Borders projects demonstrates commitment and provides hands-on design experience. Starting in a junior engineer role at a mid-sized consulting firm often provides broader exposure to diverse project types compared to large firms where roles may be more narrowly defined.
Career Pivot Tips
Environmental engineers possess a robust combination of technical design, project management, and regulatory knowledge that opens diverse career pathways. Engineering design and analysis skills transfer directly to civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering roles, especially in water resources, HVAC, and process industries. Project management experience qualifies engineers for construction management, program management, and operations leadership positions across infrastructure sectors. Deep regulatory expertise positions engineers for careers in environmental law, compliance consulting, and governmental policy development. Data analysis, modeling, and GIS proficiency support transitions into data science, urban planning, and geospatial technology companies. Engineers with business development experience can pivot to technical sales, account management, or entrepreneurship in environmental technology startups. Academic research backgrounds enable transitions to university teaching, federal research agencies, and think tanks focused on environmental policy. The growing climate tech sector offers opportunities in renewable energy development, carbon capture technology, and green building certification consulting.
Explore Career Pivots
See how Environmental Engineers compares to other careers and find your best pivot opportunities.
Find Pivots from Environmental Engineers