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.
What it pays
Environmental Engineers earn a median of $51.50/hr — about $107,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $33.65/hr; the top 10% earn $77.99/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Environmental Engineers earn a median of $51.50/hr — about $107,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $33.65/hr; the top 10% earn $77.99/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually 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.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 1% of environmental engineers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are analytical, hands-on and organized and detail-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
- Electrical Engineers
- Engineers, All Other
Quick questions
- How much does a environmental engineer make?
- The median pay is $51.50 per hour — roughly $107,000 a year, with the real range running from about $33.65/hr (10th percentile) to $77.99/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a environmental engineer?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a environmental engineer actually do all 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.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.