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, Air Quality Engineer, Civil Engineer, Coastal Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Consultant
Median pay
$107,110
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$69,990 – $162,220
People employed
38,340
Holland code
IRC
Investigative · Realistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Environmental Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What environmental engineers do
- 01Design, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
- 02Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land.
- 03Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems.
- 04Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment.
- 05Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them.
- 06Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from environmental engineers
- Water Resource Specialists93% · group pay
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers89% · group pay
- Hydrologists81% · −10%
- Materials Scientists80% · +10%
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health79% · −23%
Change into environmental engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Water Resource Specialists96% · $167,220
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers89% · $141,900
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health87% · $82,220
- Environmental Restoration Planners86% · $82,220
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors84% · $80,730
Majors that lead here
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.