Environmental Engineers
SOC code 17-2081 · O*NET-SOC 17-2081.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Environmental Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$107,110
a year
Hourly
$51.50
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$112,910
$54.29 per hour
Middle 50%
$83,570 – $134,420
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$69,990 – $162,220
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
38,340
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $69,990
- $33.65/hr
- 25th percentile
- $83,570
- $40.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $107,110
- $51.50/hr
- 75th percentile
- $134,420
- $64.63/hr
- 90th percentile
- $162,220
- $77.99/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
39,400
jobs in 2024
41,000
projected for 2034
About 1,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an environmental engineer do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become an environmental engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 62% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree62%
- Master's Degree29%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5%
Common questions
How much does an environmental engineer earn?
The national median is $107,110 a year. The full range runs from $69,990 at the 10th percentile to $162,220 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an environmental engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is environmental engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology5.0/5
- Design4.6/5
- Chemistry4.0/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Building and Construction3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Physics3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination.